Develop empathy and social understanding with this engaging My Animal Relationships Sorting Mat. Built on Montessori-inspired principles, this thoughtful activity helps children explore family bonds and friendships in the animal world while building classification skills, emotional vocabulary, and relationship awareness.
Crafted by combining early childhood development research with hands-on learning experiences, these materials create meaningful opportunities for children to understand different types of connections and build empathy through animal observation.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Heart-shaped sorting mat with two distinct relationship zones (Family and Friends)
- 35 high-quality animal relationship cards featuring authentic photography
- Comprehensive instruction guide with teaching strategies
- Three extension activities for continued relationship learning
- Instant digital download (PDF format)
KEY FEATURES:
- Self-Correcting Design: Red borders match family zone, yellow borders match friends zone
- Real Photography: Authentic animal images show genuine relationships and behaviours
- Relationship Learning: Helps children understand family bonds versus friendship connections
- Social-Emotional Growth: Builds empathy by connecting animal relationships to human experiences
- Independent Learning: Colour-coding system enables self-directed sorting and checking
- Teacher/Carer Friendly: Includes detailed implementation guidance and extension ideas
- Progressive Skills: Advances from basic sorting to conceptual relationship understanding
BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN:
- Develops understanding of different relationship types
- Builds empathy through animal behaviour observation
- Enhances classification and critical thinking skills
- Strengthens social-emotional vocabulary
- Encourages connections between animal and human relationships
- Creates foundation for understanding family structures and friendships
- Supports independent learning through self-correction
EASY TO USE:
- Download and print (A4 or A3)
- Cut around each border
- Laminate mat and counters
- Sort into family & friend zones
- Celebrate success
HOW TO MAXIMISE LEARNING:
- Start with obvious family groups like parent-baby pairs
- Discuss what makes animals family versus friends
- Use relationship vocabulary consistently
- Allow children to explain their sorting decisions
- Connect animal relationships to children’s own experiences
- Keep sessions engaging and discussion-based
IDEAL FOR THOSE:
- Understanding relationships: Children exploring family and friendship connections
- Learning about animal families: Young learners interested in animal bonds
- Building empathy skills: Connecting to their own relationships
- Advancing sorting concepts: Moving beyond basic grouping skills
PERFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING SETTINGS:
- Home learning environments
- Early years classrooms
- Social-emotional learning sessions
- Montessori-inspired activities
- Independent exploration time
ENHANCE YOUR STORY EXPERIENCE!
👉 Watch Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? storytelling here.
This read-aloud perfectly complements the activities in this Story Corner Pack, allowing children to experience the story while practicing their new skills.
