This basic shapes activity provides children with the opportunity to explore and create with shapes. The activity involves placing coloured gems along the lines of the square, rectangle, circle and triangle. It encourages shape recognition and learning about their attributes (what each shape looks like and their qualities) and how to make them.
This activity can be utilised as a simple work station or maths centre for children to play and explore with shapes. It also promotes fine motor and coordination skills as children are picking up and placing glass gems onto the paper using the pincer grip action.
What you will need?
You will need coloured card, marker pen and coloured glass gems.
If you do not have glass gems, you may like to use buttons, string, stones or other small tokens for this activity.
- Place coloured gem stones only the lines of the rectangle, square, triangle and circle.
- Talk about the attributes of each shape and ask questions, what do you call a shape that has two long sides and two short side (lengths)? Which of the shapes would you say looks like a window or dinner plate?
- Extend the learning and talk about corners. What is a corner? Which shape does not have corners?
- Go on a treasure hunt around the house, classroom or other environment searching for real-life objects that rectangular, circular, triangular or square shaped.
- Add other loose parts to the activity, such as stones, buttons or string.
- Create patterns using the different colour glass gems, such as green, blue, green, blue, etc.
- Turn the cardboard over and see if you can make the shape again but this time with no lines.
- Turn the cardboard over to expose a clear canvas for children to create freely on. Provide them with the opportunity to make their own pictures using the gemstones.
- Read stories about shapes or watch educational videos about shapes on YouTube.
- Fine Motor Development
- Hand-Eye Coordination and Control
- Spatial awareness – experimenting with shape and space
- Language development: Name basic shapes
- Mathematics (Geometry): Describe and name familiar two-dimensional shapes e.g. a circle is round or a square has four sides.
- Geometry: make connections with basics shapes and objects in the environment, such as the classroom door is a rectangle.
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