Although some adults feel that a simple explanation works well, hands-on games that emphasize similarities help to solidify this beginning concept. Games and other activities encourage the young student to examine an idea, such as similarity, in an entertaining and exploratory way. This allows the child to take in all of the information, think critically about it and demonstrate new knowledge during the course of game play. There is no one standard game for this concept, but instead a wide array of activities to take on similarity ideas in science, the arts, social studies and math.
Science learning allows students to make discoveries and explore the world around them. Kids can learn basic concepts and begin to understand similarity through science-based games. Science games that emphasize similarities include plant and animal identification or matching activities, name-the-element chemistry games, physics motion and movement lessons. For example, students can discover the wonders of physics by playing a simple ball bouncing game. Gather different types of balls, such as baseballs, kick balls, rubber balls and golf balls. Line up the students, ask them to bounce the different balls and record their findings either on a graph or by drawing a picture (depending on age). Add an extra component by dropping each ball from a set height to compare how similarly shaped or sized balls bounce.
Kids can play imaginative games that teach similarity concepts in the arts. Play different types of recorded music and ask the kids to identify what parts are similar. This includes tempo, beat, rhythm and instruments involved. If you are looking for a visual arts game to emphasize similarities, create a style matching game. Get art postcards from an art supply store or museum, or make your own by printing photos from the Web. Use at least two cards featuring different artworks by different artists in each style (such as impressionism and cubism) or from different time periods (Middle Ages, ancient times, Renaissance). Spread the cards out on a large table or work surface. Ask the children to study the cards and match them based on similarities. Similarities should include brushstroke, use of color and light, abstract vs. real images and subject matter.
Many websites provide educational and entertaining games for children that emphasize similarities. These typically are included in compare and contrast sections or themes. Curricular areas such as reading/language arts, math and social studies include these types of games. Games are often in quiz/contest/game show format or use a spot-the-similarities-and-differences technique. For example, the site GR8 Games has online activities that ask the child to find the similarities in two images of favorite characters such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Disney princesses. More advanced games, for teens and older students, can be found on the Fun Trivia site. This site contains knowledge-based activities such as a Similarity of Triangles math quiz game.