I Spy Shapes!
Here's What To Do
Gather household items of different shapes and place them on the table or floor. Arrange them so your child can easily see each shape.
Start the game by describing a shape and having your child find it. Say, "I spy with my little eye something round and flat. Can you find it?" (Answer: Plate/Circle) "I spy with my little eye something that rolls and is round all over. What is it?" (Answer: Ball/Sphere)
Repeat until all items have been named. Then point to each item and ask your child to name its shape independently.
If time permits, let your child describe a shape for you to find.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Connect each other’s arms to make a circle, a triangle and a square. Then give your child a hug.
Engage:
- "What other things around us might be shaped like a cone or a sphere?"
- "Why do you think the ball rolls but the cube doesn’t?"
Encourage:
- "You figured that out all by yourself—great job using your words to describe the shapes!"
- "It’s okay if you didn’t get it the first time. Let’s look at it together: this is a sphere because it’s round and solid. You’re learning so much—let’s try again!"
Reflect:
- “How did you know you guessed the right shape?"
Not quite ready?
Focus simple shapes (circle, triangle, square).
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to explain how the simple shapes and 3-D shapes are similar and different.
As your child masters this skill...
They will better understand different shapes' characteristics and identify shapes with more accuracy.