Shape Builders
Here's What To Do
"Today, we’re going to combine shapes to make new ones, like puzzles!" Show an example by placing two triangles together to make a square.
Invite your child to pick two shapes and try combining them., "What happens when you put these two together?"
Encourage your child to combine shapes into new ones, such as making a rectangle from two squares or a bigger triangle from two smaller ones. Celebrate each new creation.
As your child works, describe what you see: "You combined a triangle and a square—look, it makes a new shape!"
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Jump and count ten times and give a high five.
Engage:
- "What other shapes do you think we can make with these pieces?"
- "Why do you think two triangles fit together so perfectly to make a rectangle?"
Encourage:
- "You’re really thinking hard about how these shapes fit together. Great job trying different ways!"
- "It’s okay if it doesn’t fit the first time—keep experimenting, and you’ll figure it out!"
Reflect:
- "How did you decide which shapes to put together?”
Not quite ready?
Let your child explore and play freely with the shapes, focusing on naming and identifying them.
Ready for more?
Challenge your child to create specific shapes or objects, like a house or a boat, by combining multiple pieces.
As your child masters this skill...
They will draw more accurate shapes and understand how shapes can be combined to make other shapes.