Object x object - directly combined (4x4): Sweet bakery

Object x object – directly combined (4x4): Sweet bakery

Which pastry goes with which piece of fruit? In this interactive matrix exercise for preschool children, children discover through play how two different attributes can be combined. The activity consists of a double-entry table in which children drag the correct images to their proper places. The rows contain different types of pastries and the columns contain different types of fruit used as decoration. By carefully looking at both attributes, children discover which pastry with which fruit decoration belongs in each cell of the 4x4 matrix.

This educational preschool exercise stimulates logical thinking and teaches children to combine information purposefully. They need to look not at just one attribute, but at two attributes at the same time: the type of pastry and the type of fruit. In this playful way, preschoolers practise classifying, comparing, ordering, identifying relationships and working with a double-entry table.

The 4x4 matrix makes the exercise more challenging because different combinations appear alongside one another. Children learn to look systematically at the row and the column and discover that each cell in the table is determined by the combination of both attributes. This supports the development of logical reasoning, visual discrimination, concentration and problem-solving skills.

Language development also receives plenty of attention in this free app. The exercise includes clear spoken support, allowing children to hear words and concepts that match the images and the task. They become familiar with vocabulary relating to pastries, fruit, decoration, shapes, colours and positional concepts. By looking, listening and acting, new words and concepts are naturally connected with one another.

The familiar theme of a sweet bakery makes the exercise especially appealing to young children. Preschoolers discover different pastries and types of fruit and learn to look carefully at what is the same and what is different. Combining familiar objects helps them understand abstract concepts such as rows, columns, attributes and combinations in a concrete way.

Thanks to the simple drag-and-drop controls, children also practise their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and digital skills. They need to select images purposefully, move them and place them in the correct cell of the matrix. The free app is suitable for use on tablets, computers, interactive whiteboards and other digital learning environments.

This educational matrix exercise is ideal for preschool teachers, support teachers, parents and caregivers who want to work on logical thinking, double-entry tables, classification, sorting by two attributes, object recognition, vocabulary development, listening skills, visual perception, concentration and digital literacy.

Let preschoolers discover through play which pastry goes with which fruit decoration while giving them a solid foundation for logical thinking, language development and understanding simple matrix structures.

In the online logbook, parents and teachers can easily review afterwards which apps were used and which results were achieved.

Learning goals

• Logical and mathematical thinking
  • Compare objects and images based on observable properties.
  • Recognize and distinguish properties such as color, shape, size, pattern, object, character, emotion, orientation and direction of movement.
  • Classify and organize images based on one or more characteristics.
  • Recognize and use similarities and differences between images to make a choice.
  • Take two criteria into account simultaneously: a row criterion and a column criterion.
  • Determine which image matches the combination of two given properties.
  • Establish logical relationships between row criteria, column criteria and the corresponding cells of a table.
  • Systematically examine and complete a double-entry table.
  • Solve a simple mathematical problem by comparing, combining and applying information.
  • Check a chosen solution based on the given properties.
  • Handle increasing complexity in 2 × 2, 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 tables.
• Classifying and organizing
  • Group images based on a common characteristic.
  • Take more than one property into account when organizing images.
  • Select an image that belongs to both a specific row and a specific column.
  • Recognize that one image can have multiple properties at the same time.
  • Distinguish relevant characteristics from characteristics that are not important for the task.
  • Adjust a classification when a different criterion is used.
• Spatial orientation and structuring
  • Navigate within a grid with rows, columns and individual cells.
  • Understand the relationship between a row, a column and their intersection.
  • Place an image in the correct position within a two-dimensional structure.
  • Purposefully compare and distinguish positions within a grid.
  • Functionally use and understand concepts such as above, below, left, right, row, column and cell.
  • Navigate a visual structure clearly and systematically.
• Number sense
  • Recognize and distinguish concrete quantities.
  • Match quantities with appropriate number representations or numerals when these are used as a criterion.
  • Relate different representations of the same quantity to one another.
  • Compare and classify number representations, numerals and concrete quantities.
  • Use numerical properties as a criterion within a double-entry table.
• Visual perception and pattern recognition
  • Focus on characteristics of images and distinguish details from one another.
  • Visually recognize and compare shapes, colors, sizes, patterns and orientations.
  • Recognize regularity and recurring characteristics within rows and columns.
  • Analyze visual information to determine which image belongs in a particular position.
  • Focus attention on multiple visual characteristics simultaneously.
• Language development
  • Expand vocabulary related to properties such as color, shape, size, pattern, direction, quantity and position.
  • Understand concepts used to describe similarities and differences.
  • Understand simple oral instructions related to classifying, comparing and placing.
  • Name and describe properties of objects and images.
  • Explain why an image belongs to a particular combination of characteristics.
  • Functionally use mathematical concepts such as row, column, cell, same, different, larger, smaller, above, below, left and right.
• Problem-solving and independent thinking
  • Approach a task step by step and use an appropriate problem-solving strategy.
  • Examine the characteristics before placing an image.
  • Check a choice based on both criteria.
  • Recognize an error and adjust a solution when an image does not meet both conditions.
  • Analyze and solve a double-entry table with increasing independence.
  • Maintain attention and concentration during a multi-step task.
• Digital literacy
  • Use a digital application purposefully.
  • Perform drag-and-drop actions to place images in the correct cell of a grid.
  • Use digital feedback to check a solution and adjust it if necessary.
  • Work independently or with guidance on an interactive mathematical exercise.
• Motor development
  • Practice fine motor skills by purposefully dragging and dropping images.
  • Strengthen hand-eye coordination when using a mouse, touchscreen or interactive whiteboard.
  • Accurately place an image within a defined cell of a grid.
  • Act purposefully and with control within a digital environment.

QR code

You can use the downloadable QR code below to navigate directly to this app.