Block to Block Direct Match

Blocks to Blocks Direct Matching is a concept that I learned through visual therapy. There are so many wonderful developmental points to this activity that I added it to the 4 Year Curriculum. Plus, it is fun!

Items Needed: Set of blocks that have duplicates in shape and color - Parquetry Block Super Set, Pattern Blocks and Boards, Pattern Blocks
Plastic acetate or plexiglass sheets (hard clear plastic) - anything that is heavy enough to pick up blocks and also transparent

Procedure:

Child is seated at a desk or table that fits their size.
Adult is seated across from the child (facing the child).
The adult selects 2 or 3 block from the set, one of which should be square.
The adult creates a pattern making the square the central figure and it should be placed parallel to table. The other shapes should each touch the square along an entire side.
The child is asked to select blocks that match the example in shape, number, and color. All attributes should be identical.
The child is asked to make a pattern on the plastic that matches the example exactly. There is no time limit and the child should be encouraged to compare his reproduction to the example.
When the child is satisfied with his pattern, the adult picks up the plastic sheet and superimposes it (lays it on top of) upon the child's pattern.
Encourage the child to evaluate the 2 patterns to see if they match or if there is anything he/she can do to change the blocks to "make them look even more like each other than they already do."
If the child wishes to make a change, remove the plastic sheet and allow the child to make any changes. When completed, again super-impose the plastic sheet and compare. This may need to occur several times.
Continue making patterns at the same level of difficulty until the child adequately demonstrates mastery.
Switch roles and allow the child to create a pattern and the adult copy it. Allow the child to verbally describe why he/she "agrees" or "disagrees" with the adult's rendition.

Child and Adult Pattern Image Super-imposed Images Super-imposed

Picture 1 - Adult's pattern with the child's pattern on the plexiglass
Picture 2 - Pattern super-imposed to show the child that the patterns do not match.
Picture 3 - Pattern super-imposed to show the child that the patterns do match.
The plexiglass has been taken out of Pictures #2, #3 due to reflection.

Varying difficulty: Start with difficulty #1 and increase as the child shows mastery. Examples are given below.

1. Square is the central part of pattern and is parallel to the table. The other blocks touch the square along an entire side.
2. Square is the central part of pattern and is parallel to the table. One or more blocks do not touch the square along an entire side.
3. Square is the central part of pattern and is parallel to the table. The other blocks create "pockets" or an empty space.
4. Square is the central part of pattern and is parallel to the table. The other blocks are separated from the square.
5. Square is parallel to the table but is no longer the central piece of the pattern.
6. Square is tilted.

Difficulty 1 Difficulty 2 Difficulty 3 Difficulty 4 Difficulty 5 Difficulty 6