Observations Skills for Preschool: The What’s Missing Game

As I teach my preschool classes about science tools, I like to begin with our five senses. In this fun memory game, called What’s Missing?, your students will learn to observe carefully with their eyes—just like scientists! This game is simple, uses everyday objects, and can be adapted for different ages.

You will find that it’s an easy way to introduce observations skills to your preschool students, and they will love this game.

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Every day, scientists rely on their senses to make observations and learn about the world. This game helps young children practice careful observation skills and strengthens their memory. As they guess which object is missing, they are practicing recall and paying attention to fine details.

I started playing this game years ago as a way to fill time at the end of the day with my older preschoolers. After most of the class was ready for dismissal, I’d take the group that was packed up to the rug, and we’d play “What’s Missing?” while we waited for the others to join us. After a few days, I noticed the students were getting ready much faster because they wanted to play the game. Soon, what began as a simple transition activity became an effective classroom management tool. A win-win!I

If you have read my post on introducing listening skills. Listen Like a Scientist, then you will see that the set up for this game is basically the same, except you need only one set of objects.

• Five or more small objects, depending on the age of your students (e.g., marbles, pom poms, plastic spoons, metal spoons, jingle bells, and small plastic animals)
• A tray to display the objects
• A Small towel or cloth to cover the tray
• A container for hiding the objects

Step 1: Set Up the Tray. Place the objects on a tray, where everyone can see.

Step 2: Explain the Game. Introduce the game by saying, “Scientists use their five senses to learn more about the world. Today, we’re going to use our eyes like scientists! First, let’s make observations about what we see. Then, I will cover up the tray and take away one object. Next, I’ll take the cover off the tray and give you time to look and figure out what’s missing. Finally, I’ll let you tell everyone what you think is missing.”

Step 3: Identify the Objects. Help the children identify each object on the tray. Guide them in talking about what they notice You could say, “I see the marble. It looks like a hard ball. I see that it is green. How is it different from the other objects on the tray?”

Step 4: Cover the Tray. After the children have had time to make observations, cover the tray with the towel or cloth.

Step 5: Remove one object. Carefully, remove one object and place it in the container. (I like using a container with a small hand towel in the bottom. This way the object is less likely to make noise, and with the item in a container, the children don’t try to peek.)

Step 6: The Big Reveal. Uncover the try and ask the class to figure out what is missing. Before they shout out their guesses, ask the children to keep their answers to themselves until you say, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, What’s Missing?” Finally, the children can call out their answers.

Step 7: Play again. After the item object is revealed, put it back on the tray and play again.

 

For Toddlers: Use fewer objects and choose ones that are easily distinguishable. For example, use a wooden block and a plastic spoon. Give them time to touch each object before placing it on the tray.

For Older Children: Increase the number of objects at the beginning of the game, or take more than one object away at a time. Additionally, you could skip the step where you discuss the attributes of the objects so that they can’t use those verbal clues to help them remember.

After the game, take a moment to review with your students. Ask questions like:

• What helped you remember which object was missing?
• Was it easier to notice what was missing when there were fewer objects?
• When do you think scientists use their eyes for observation?
• When do you use your eyes for observation?

Questions like these encourage critical thinking and may lead to other games or experiments for your students to try. In addition, your students may want to extend the activity as suggested below.

Want to keep the fun going? Try these extensions:

• Let the children choose objects to place on the tray.
• Play the game in reverse: Instead of removing an item, add one extra object to the covered tray. Now, see if they can spot what’s new.
• Sorting Game: After the memory game, use the objects for a sorting activity. Let the children group the objects by color, shape, size, or use. This reinforces their ability to observe similarities and differences.
• Set up the game as a center activity so children can practice observation during free play.
• Add an empty tray, a towel, and a container to your sensory bin or other centers, allowing students to create their own games.

The “What’s Missing?” game is a fun and easy way to introduce preschoolers to scientific observation. By using their sense of sight, your students will learn how to make detailed observations and recall what they’ve seen, which makes them true scientists! Best of all, the game can be easily adapted many age groups, ensuring that everyone can join in and sharpen their observation skills.

And don’t forget—this is just one step in helping preschoolers use their senses as scientific tools. Check out our previous post on using hearing in science activities, and stay tuned for more ideas to use your classroom as a science lab.

If your ready for more observations, read my post about magnifiers: Introducing Preschoolers to Magnifying Fun!

Note: I don’t earn any commission from these links, I just want to share items that have worked well for me!

• Baby Loves the Five Senses: Sight by Ruth Spiro. (I love this book because it shows how sight works and different ways of seeing, including wearing glasses and reading Braille.
• Walk and See: 123 by Rosalind Beardshaw (A counting book for numbers 1-20 with a nature theme.)
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What to You See? by Bill Martin, Jr. (A tried-and-true classic)