When you want to teach shapes to toddlers, exposure is critical! The more a child is working with and identifying shapes, the more that child will be able to identify those shapes. Exploring shapes can be as easy as walking through a store and pointing out all the circles (we frequently walk through Target). The more you practice shapes with your child, the more they will understand and process shapes daily.
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During February, Evie and I will focus on our bodies, healthy choices, and emotions. One of the activities that I lovingly call “Bunny has a Boo-Boo” practices shape identification and matching. Bunny had several shaped boo-boos; only the bandage with the matching shape could fix the boo-boo.
Evie loves to wake up to a new activity on her art easel! It makes it quick and easy to prepare activities it has so many different functions!
Other Activities to Teach Shapes to Toddlers
Shape Puzzles
If your child is a hands-on learner like mine, one way to teach shapes to toddlers is through puzzles. There are so many different kinds of puzzles that you can get your child. Personally, I love the Melissa and Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards. There are different images your child can create using the same shapes!
Hand Shapes
I made a heart with my hands with Evie when I was telling her I loved her…it started a thing. Now she will randomly come up and make shapes with her hands and call out the shape until you acknowledge the shape she is making. It is both easy and free! The only limitation is the range of motion in your hands…I still haven’t figured out how to make a start yet…
Playdough Mats
Playdough is a wonderful invention. I love using it when we do fine motor activities and Evie (much like most young children) is a kinesthetic learner. Once she does it with her hands, she’s going to understand it. Marlene Carranza from ‘Planes and Balloons’, made shape mats (triangle, star, heart, circle, square, oval, rectangle, and rhombus) that you can download for free!
Shape Search
Now and then, we need to get out of the house. When we go to the store, the park, or just on a quick walk I challenge Evie to find a shape like the circular tires on the car, the octagonal ‘STOP’ sign, and the swing frame forms a triangle. What shapes can you find?
Rainbow Shape Stickers
During my rainbow lesson plan, I bought shape stickers that I am still using. We like to organize the stickers by shape, size, and color. The
Matching Shape Clouds
Check out my weather-themed lesson plan for a week filled with wonderful weather-inspired activities. During my Cloud lesson, I have clouds in various shapes and smaller clouds to match them with. I love rotating these clouds so Evie can practice her spatial awareness and understand that the orientation doesn’t change the shape.
Make Shape Prints
One easy activity to do with your rainbow-shaped stickers is the Shape Printmaking Activity. I like adding art into shape activities because it creates a more engaging activity for Evie. She loves making unique stamps and then creating her artwork.
I hope you and your child have fun being shape detectives and identifying your 2D shapes! Are there any activities you love to do with your child? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!