Character x emotion (4x4): Space creatures

Character x emotion (4x4): Aliens - learn to sort through play using a double-entry table.

Which emotion belongs to which alien? In this interactive matrix activity, preschool children learn to organise images in a double-entry table in a playful way. The activity consists of a 4x4 matrix in which children must consider two characteristics at the same time: the character in the rows and the emotion in the columns.

The children see different aliens and four recognisable emotions: happy, scared, angry and sad. They drag each image to the correct cell in the matrix. To find the correct position, they need to look carefully at both the character and the corresponding emotion. This way, children learn step by step how a double-entry table works.

This educational preschool activity stimulates logical thinking, classification and ordering. Children learn to compare and combine two characteristics at the same time. They practise concepts such as row, column, same, different and belonging together. By systematically searching for the correct combination, they also develop their problem-solving skills and visual perception.

Language development also plays an important role in this free app. The activity includes extensive spoken support and helps preschool children better understand words and concepts related to emotions and characters. By looking, listening and acting at the same time, children practise new vocabulary in a natural and playful way.

The emotions happy, scared, angry and sad also provide opportunities to talk to children about feelings. Preschool children learn to recognise, name and distinguish emotions from one another. This supports not only their vocabulary but also their social-emotional development and their understanding of how people and characters can feel.

Thanks to the simple drag-and-drop controls, children simultaneously practise their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and digital skills. The images are dragged to the correct cells of the 4x4 matrix, allowing children to learn actively by looking, thinking and acting.

This free matrix activity is suitable for use on tablets, computers, interactive whiteboards and other digital learning environments. It is ideal for preschool teachers, support teachers, parents and caregivers who want to work in a playful way on double-entry tables, logical thinking, sorting, classification, emotions, vocabulary, listening skills and digital literacy.

Let preschool children discover together with the cheerful aliens where each image belongs and give them a strong foundation in logical thinking, language development and working with a matrix through play.

In the online logbook, parents and teachers can easily review afterwards which apps were played and what 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.