A pie full of 60 miniature fruits comes ready for a variety of learning and pretend games. There are two big tweezers for lifting and sorting and a divider inside the pie shell for sorting the fruits by color or type. The pieces of this toy can be used for sorting by various attributes, to reinforce color words as well as knowing and naming fruits. As kids begin to work at math skills the fruit counters are also useful for demonstrating or making concrete simple number facts. There is an activity guide included. This is more like math equipment used in schools, but may be useful for kids who need playful reinforcement of those basics.

NOTE: There are lots of small pieces in this collection and it should not be used with children who still mouth their toys. Marked 3& up.

SNAP: Sorting by attributes is more fun when there are lots of pieces to handle. Use the pieces in this set by talking about one attribute at a time. Avoid talking about multiple attributes until one attribute is firmly mastered. For example: put two colors out in a mixed up pile and help your child sort the two colors into two separate baskets or cups. At another, time sort by fruit types. Find all the bananas - whatever color they are. Beginners are not ready to sort by two or more attributes such as find all the bananas that are green. Holding onto the green idea or the banana search is enough for beginners. These fruit pieces are also useful counting games and showing kids what we mean by 2+ 3 or 5-3.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.