Resource

Matching Bucket Activity

Simple ideas to give young children who are blind or visually impaired practice matching and developing basic concepts

A simple resource which has a multitude of fun, creative learning and development ideas within. Here are some ideas to inspire you from Positive Eye!

You will need:

  • 1 bucket (preferably a bright coloured one, this is a metal one from IKEA)
  • A selection of objects from around the environment
  • A set of tickets naming the objects (laminated, if preferred)
  • Velcro to attach tickets to outside of bucket
  • Shapes to decorate the bucket

 

The resource is quick to make and can involve the child!

  • Step 1: Decorate the bucket
  • Step 2: Add your objects to the bucket
  • Step 3: Make your tickets and Velcro to the outside of the bucket

 

Learning and development suggestions

Match textures

  • Velcro textures to the outside and place matching texture in bucket for child to find and explore

Match shapes

  • Velcro textures to the outside and place matching shape in bucket for child to find and explore

Match objects

  • Velcro textures to the outside and place matching objects in bucket for child to find and explore

Match sounds

  • Velcro objects/textures with different sounds to the outside and place matching sound in bucket for child to find and recognise

Match initial letter sounds

  • Child to match initial letter sound on each ticket to correct object in bucket

Match words

  • Child to match word on each ticket to correct object in bucket

Collect objects

  • Collect objects beginning with particular letter
  • Collect objects with two attributes, three attributes
  • Collect natural objects (e.g. made of metal, wood, collect different shaped leaves)

Count objects

  • Place number tickets on Velcro spots around bucket. Choose a number and count correct amount of objects, perhaps with a particular initial letter sound into the bucket, from a selection placed on a tray.

Capacity

  • Fill the bucket with water, find out how heavy the bucket is when it is full.
  • Place each object in the water find out which float and which sink.
  • Make a chart on a magnetic board of those that sink and those that float.
  • Fill the bucket with sand and make a massive sandcastle!
  • Make a castle using the bucket to make sandcastle turrets.

Musical instrument

  • Turn the bucket upside down and play it is a drum with hands, with wooden spoons! Make different sounds from loud banging to quiet tapping.

Make up a story or a poem about the bucket!

  • Include the child in thinking about the story, what happened one Saturday when Dad wanted his car washing and the bucket had a hole in it, what happened next……

 

There are more ideas on Positive Eye’s website https://www.positiveeye.co.uk/

matching bucket activity collage