VISUAL DISCRIMINATION PLAYBOOK:
MATCHING AND SORTING
0-3 years
OT. Khadijah Badahdah
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
INTRODUCTION
The Visual Discrimination Playbook: Matching and Sorting is a
structured resource designed for young children to enhance
visual-perceptual skills through targeted activities rooted in
Gagné’s taxonomy of learned capabilities. Drawing on Gagné’s
intellectual skill hierarchy, particularly discrimination and
concrete concept formation, this booklet provides
occupational therapy (OT) practitioners with practical tools to
support the development of cognitive processes essential for
recognizing similarities and differences. These skills are critical
for occupational performance in early academic tasks, such as
reading, and activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing
and feeding, which are foundational to basic self-care and early
independence. This playbook facilitates skill-building in a
meaningful context for young children across early
developmental stages.
Gagné's Five Learned Capabilities Gagne's Intellectual Skill Hierarchy
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MATCHING AND SORTING
Matching and sorting are foundational skills within
the domain of visual discrimination, crucial for
occupational performance in early development.
Matching involves pairing two objects based on a
shared characteristic, such as shape or color, as
seen in tasks like assembling puzzles or pairing
shoes during dressing. Sorting, on the other hand,
entails grouping multiple objects by their
similarities, such as organizing toys by type or color.
In the context of occupational therapy (OT), these
skills enhance visual-perceptual abilities, enabling
children to process and interpret visual information
effectively. By fostering discrimination and
categorization, matching and sorting support
participation in meaningful occupations.
Note: The term “grade” in this booklet refers to the developmental progression of a typically
developing child in matching and sorting skills, with each grade corresponding to an activity
that aligns with their age and milestone achievements.
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A. COLORS
Indicates which parts need to be printed and cut
from the appendix for matching or sticking.
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Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same
idea.
Grade: 1
UNDERSTANDING COLORS
Objective: Help children identify and discriminate between colors by selecting a specific
color from a group.
Description: First, have the child name the colors.
Complexity:Focuses on basic color recognition, the simplest skill. The child only needs to
identify a named color (e.g., red) among different objects, with no comparison or
categorization required.
1st activity
Based on Piaget’s sensorimotor stage (where children learn through sensory
experiences) and Vygotsky’s emphasis on scaffolding (using prompts like the
apple picture to guide learning).
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1st activity
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Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same
idea.
Grade: 1
UNDERSTANDING COLORS
Objective: Help children identify and discriminate between colors by selecting a
specific color from a group.
Description: First, have the child name the colors.
Complexity:Focuses on basic color recognition, the simplest skill. The child only
needs to identify a named color (e.g., red) among different objects, with no
comparison or categorization required.
2nd activity
Based on Piaget’s sensorimotor stage (where children learn through sensory
experiences) and Vygotsky’s emphasis on scaffolding (using prompts like the
apple picture to guide learning).
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 5
MATCH THE COLORS
Objective: Teach children to match objects based on color (black and white).
Description: Show the child a black object (e.g., a black toy car) and provide two choices (e.g., a white
block and another black car). Ask them to pick the object that matches the color of the model.
Complexity:Advances to matching black and white colors, requiring the child to compare a model to
two options and select the matching color.
أبيض
White
اسود
black
For the printer: The pieces are included in the booklet’s appendices
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same
idea.
Grade: 7
MATCH THE PRIMARY COLOR
Objective: Teach children to match primary colors (blue, red, yellow) by
identifying similar colors.
Complexity:Further advances to matching primary colors (blue, red, yellow),
requiring comparison across three options
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the
same idea.
Grade: 7
MATCH THE PRIMARY COLOR
Objective: Teach children to match primary colors (blue, red, yellow) by
identifying similar colors.
Complexity: Further advances to matching primary colors (blue, red, yellow),
requiring comparison across three options
For the printer: The pieces are included in the booklet’s appendices
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 10
COLOR GROUPING GAME
Objective: : Sort objects by color and name the color
Description: Provide a pile of objects in three colors (e.g., blue, red, yellow ) and ask children to sort
them into groups while naming the colo
Complexity : The most advanced, focusing on sorting by color and identifying colors when named,
combining categorization (sorting into groups) with recognition (pointing to named colors
Note: Why Use 3D Objects Instead of Pictures?
Using 3D objects, such as toys, is preferred over pictures because they provide
a tactile experience that engages multiple senses, including touch and sight. This
hands-on approach is especially beneficial for younger children or those who
thrive with sensory-based learning, as it enhances their understanding and
retention of concepts like shape sorting. Sorting physical toys, such as circular
balls, triangular blocks, and square tiles, makes the activity more interactive and
supports early cognitive development by offering a concrete, multi-sensory
learning experience.
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B. OBJECTS
Indicates which parts need to be printed and cut
from the appendix for matching or sticking.
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Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 2
MATCH IDENTICAL PHYSICAL
OBJECTS ( 3D)
Objective: Teach children match identical objects by recognizing similarities.
Description: Present three toys (e.g., a teddy bear, a ball, and a doll) and a
“model” toy (e.g., another teddy bear). Ask the child to find the toy that
matches the model from the group. If they choose correctly, they can place
the matching toys together and clap for a reward.
Complexity: Focuses on matching a physical object to an image, emphasizing
general similarity
(e.g., a red teddy bear toy matches a red teddy bear image, even if not
identical in design)
This aligns with Piaget’s preoperational stage (symbolic
thinking) and Gagné’s focus on learning concrete
concepts through direct experience.
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Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 3
OBJECT SORTING CHALLENGE
Objective : Help the child sort objects into categories based on a common characteristic
(e.g., type of object).
Description: Provide a mixed group of pictures Ask the child to sort them into three piles.
Complexity :Focuses on sorting objects into categories (toys, foods, animals), requiring the
child to understand object types and group them accordingly
Sort the Toys, Fruits, and Animals
For the printer: The pieces are included in the booklet’s appendices
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the
same idea.
Grade:6
MATCH THE IDENTICAL
OBJECTS (2D)
Objective: Help children match identical pictures of objects to improve visual
discrimination.
Description: Provide a set of picture cards . Ask the child to find the matching cards.
Complexity:Focuses on matching identical pictures, requiring the child to pay attention
to exact details (e.g., same color and type, like a red apple to another red apple)
For the printer: The pieces are included in the booklet’s appendices
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 8
SIMILAR OBJECT CATEGORIZATION
CHALLENGE
Objective: Encourage children to identify similar objects (e.g., two dogs) despite slight differences, distinguishing
them from unrelated objects (e.g., a bird)
Description: Show the child a picture of a camel ( and provide two options: a picture of a gazelle (another desert
animal, similar as both are four-legged desert creatures) and a picture of a falcon (a bird,
but unrelated to the camel and gazelle in this context). Ask them to pick the picture that is most similar to the camel
(the gazelle, as both are desert-dwelling, four-legged animals).
Complexity: Focuses on matching similar pictures within a category (e.g., dogs), requiring the child to understand
broader conceptual categories rather than exact matches.
Model
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Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 8
SIMILAR OBJECT CATEGORIZATION
CHALLENGE
Objective: Encourage children to identify similar objects (e.g., two dogs) despite slight differences, distinguishing
them from unrelated objects (e.g., a bird)
Description: Show the child a picture of a camel ( and provide two options: a picture of a gazelle (another desert
animal, similar as both are four-legged desert creatures) and a picture of a falcon (a bird, , but unrelated to the camel
and gazelle in this context). Ask them to pick the picture that is most similar to the camel (the gazelle, as both are
desert-dwelling, four-legged animals).
Complexity: Focuses on matching similar pictures within a category (e.g., dogs), requiring the child to understand
broader conceptual categories rather than exact matches.
Model
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C. SHAPES
Indicates which parts need to be printed and cut
from the appendix for matching or sticking.
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 4
MATCH THE SHAPE
Objective: Help children recognize and match basic shapes by identifying similarities.
Description: Show the child a shape (e.g., a circle) and provide two options (e.g., a triangle and
another circle). Ask them to pick the shape that matches the model. Use toys or cutouts in the
same color to focus on shape rather than color.
Complexity: Focuses on shape matching, requiring the child to recognize and match identical
shapes (e.g., circle to circle). This is a foundational skill in visual discrimination, emphasizing
recognition and compariso
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 4
MATCH THE SHAPE
Goal: Help the child match shapes by identifying a shape that matches a given model.
For the printer: The pieces are included in the booklet’s appendices
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 9
SHAPE SORTIG GAME
Objective: : Teach children to classify toys by shape (circle, triangle, square).
Description: Provide a mixed pile of toys in different shapes (e.g., circular balls, triangular blocks,
square tiles). Ask the child to sort them into three piles: one for circles, one for triangles, and one for
square.
Materials Needed: Toys in different shapes, three baskets labeled with shape pictures.
Complexity: Focuses on categorizing shapes, requiring advanced form perception and visual
discrimination for categorization
مثلث مربع دائره
Triangle Square Circle
Note: Why Use 3D Objects Instead of Pictures?
Using 3D objects, such as toys, is preferred over pictures because they provide a tactile experience
that engages multiple senses, including touch and sight. This hands-on approach is especially beneficial
for younger children or those who thrive with sensory-based learning, as it enhances their
understanding and retention of concepts like shape sorting. Sorting physical toys, such as circular
balls, triangular blocks, and square tiles, makes the activity more interactive and supports early
cognitive development by offering a concrete, multi-sensory learning experience.
For the printer: The pieces are included in the booklet’s appendices
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
REFERENCES :
1. Gagné, R. M. (1985). The Conditions of Learning and Theory
of Instruction (4th ed.). Holt, Rinehart and Winston
2. Janeda, C. (2021). Matching and sorting shapes, colors, and
objects. Access Abilities. [Link]
content/uploads/2021/05/Matching-and-Sorting-Shapes-
[Link]
3. O’Brien, J. C., & Kuhaneck, H. (2015). Case-Smith’s
Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents - E-
Book. In Foundations for occupational therapy practice
with children (7th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
4. Schneck, C. M. (2015). Visual perception. In Case-Smith’s
Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents - E-
Book. (7th ed., pp. 373–399).
5. Case-Smith, J., & O’Brien, J. C. (2015). Occupational therapy
for children and adolescents. In Development of Childhood
Occupations (7th ed., pp. 53–83).
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THE APPENDIX
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Grade: 3
OBJECT SORTING CHALLENGE
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Grade: 3
OBJECT SORTING CHALLENGE
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TOYS
Grade: 3
االلعاب
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FRUITS
الفواكة
Grade: 3
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ANIMALS
حيوانات
Grade: 3
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Grade: 4
MATCH THE SHAPE
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Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
Grade: 5
MATCH THE COLORS
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Grade:6
MATCH THE IDENTICAL OBJECTS (2D)
Here are some activities; you can apply the activity with the same idea.
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Grade: 7
MATCH THE PRIMARY COLOR
Objective: Teach children to match primary colors (blue, red, yellow) by identifying
similar colors.
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Grade: 9
SHAPE SORTING GAME
مثلث مربع دائره
Triangle Square Circle
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For any questions, email me at :
Khadijahobadahdah@[Link]
