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In/Out Sorting Worksheet: Color the Objects!

Sorting objects as 'in' or 'out' of a box builds on the positional vocabulary preschoolers need before they can follow multi-step directions or understand simple math concepts like sets and groups. Using color as the sorting tool here, blue for inside and pink for outside, also strengthens the ability to hold two rules in mind simultaneously and apply the correct one to each object in turn.

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Month 7: Comprehensive preschool learning | Ages Up to 4

This is page 17 of the pack. Ages 2-4 · PreschoolAges 2-4 · NurseryAges 2-4

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Curriculum

  • Spatial Sense > Spatial Concepts

How to use this worksheet

Start by pointing out the box drawn on the page and asking your child which objects are drawn inside it and which are drawn outside it. Remind them of the color rule: blue for objects inside the box, pink for objects outside it. Go object by object, asking 'Is this in or out?' before they choose the crayon color, coloring each one carefully within its outline. When finished, count together how many objects ended up blue and how many ended up pink.

Materials needed

  • Crayons
  • Pencil

Extension activities

  • Set out a real box or basket and take turns placing toys 'in' and 'out' while naming the position.
  • Play a follow-the-instruction game: 'Put the ball in the box,' 'Take the sock out of the box.'
  • Draw a large box on paper and have your child draw their own objects inside and outside it.
  • Sort laundry or toys into 'in the basket' and 'out of the basket' piles during a normal chore time.
Hemsweta Jain (Teacher Cheena), founder of RaisoActive

Written by

Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena

MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai

Every RaisoActive worksheet is designed and checked by the founder before publishing.

Published · Last reviewed

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