I've been reading a lot of blogs recently and last week I read this post on Because Babies Grow Up which is about a shape song - found at CanTeach Shapes and this has inspired me to write a post here all about teaching shapes.
As Amber says, basic shapes are the foundation for so many things that little ones learn. Drawing shapes is a precursor to writing as children have to master moving the pencil deliberately to create something before they can fine tune that to make letters. Shapes are also a precursor to advanced drawing - if children can see how complex figures are made up of simple shapes, then they can draw them by combining basic shapes into something complex. Recognising shapes is a precursor to literacy and numeracy as letters and numbers are just more complicated shapes.
In addition to the one that Amber posted here are some songs to help teach about shapes:
Shape Song - to the tune of: "The Farmers in the Den"
A circle's like a ball, A circle's like a ball,
A circle's like a ball, A circle's like a ball,
Round and round It never stops.
A circle's like a ball!
A square is like a box, A square is like a box,
It has four sides, They are the same.
A square is like a box!
A triangle has 3 sides, A triangle has 3 sides,
Up the mountain, Down, and back.
A triangle has 3 sides!
A rectangle has 4 sides, A rectangle has 4 sides,
Two are long, and Two are short.
A rectangle has 4 sides!
Shapes - to the tune of: "Frere Jacques"
This is a square. This is a square.
This is a square. This is a square.
How can you tell? How can you tell?
It has four sides, All the same size.
It's a square. It's a square.
This is a circle. This is circle.
How can you tell? How can you tell?
It goes round and round, No end can be found.
It's a circle. It's a circle.
This is a triangle. This is a triangle.
How can you tell? How can you tell?
It only has three sides, That join to make three points.
It's a triangle. It's a triangle.
This is a rectangle. This is a rectangle.
How can you tell? How can you tell?
It has two short sides, And it has two long sides.
It's a rectangle. It's a rectangle.
Make A Circle - to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel"
Round and round on the paper I go,
Round and round on the paper I go,
What fun to go around like so,
What have I made, do you know?
I made a circle!
Make A Square - to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
From the bottom to the top,
Straight across and then you stop,
Straight down to the bottom again,
Across and stop where you began,
If the lines are the same size,
Then a square is you surprise.
Make a Triangle - to the tune of "Three Blind Mice"
One, two, three; one, two, three
Do you see? Do you see?
Up the hill and to the top,
Down the hill and then you stop,
Straight across;
tell me what have you got?
A triangle--a triangle!
Make A Rectangle - to the tune of "The Incey Wincey Spider"
A long line at the bottom,
Make A Rectangle - to the tune of "The Incey Wincey Spider"
A long line at the bottom,
A long line at the top,
A short line to connect each side,
A rectangle you've got!
A short line at the bottom
A short line at the top
A long line to connect each side
A rectangle you've got!
Resources for Teaching Shapes
Shape Bean Bags
The shape beanie bags are a set of 8 shaped bean bags (circle, square, rectangle, triangle, star, oval, pentagon and hexagon) with the name of each shape stitched onto one side and are ideal for early shape recognition. Each bean bag measures approximately 10cm and can be stored conveniently in the drawstring cloth bag.
The shape flashcards are part of the Littlesheep Learning Resources collection and are small sized (67mmx98mm) laminated cards are ideal for teaching shape identification. The set comprises of 12 shape cards – circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond, oval, star, heart, moon, semicircle, hexagon, and pentagon.
These games all include shape identification and matching as part of their fun - a great way to teach shapes informally during play.
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