Shape Hunt

In this game, your child will use pictures and real objects to practice identifying different shapes. Learning about shapes and how to describe them will help your child with later math and science concepts. This type of visual discrimination task also helps with identification of letters and numbers.

Learning Area(s): Language and Communication; Math

MATERIALS

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• shapes (for example, from a shape puzzle, shape sorter, or set of blocks) or objects with different identifiable shapes; for example, a Lego (rectangle), a plastic cookie (circle), a Dorito chip (triangle), a square pillow, etc.
• cards with matching shapes (at least including circle, square, triangle, rectangle. May also include diamond [rhombus], heart, star, etc.)
• small bag or box

LET'S PLAY

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Gather your items of different shapes. Introduce the game to your child, for example, “Let’s play a shapes game and see what kinds of shapes can we find in our house?” Hold up one item and ask your child, “What is this?” (Dorito or chip) and “What shape does it have?” (triangle) If your child doesn’t know, show how to look at the sides (and other features) to identify the shape of the object. For example, say, “This Dorito chip is a triangle shape. See, there are one…, two…, three sides. Triangles always have three sides.” Do this for each item to see what your child already knows.

Next, put the shape matching cards in a bag or box. Have the child pull out a card and identify the shape. Then encourage your child to find the objects that are the same shape as the shape on the card. Continue playing as long as your child is interested.

After your child masters this game, go on a “shape hunt” to look for additional items in your house that are a specific shape (e.g., “Let’s walk around and see what else in our house is shaped like a circle!”)