Math and Your Toddler

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Geometry

  • Label sheets of paper with standard shapes. Start with square, triangle, and circle. If the child is older, add rectangle, oval, diamond or rhombus, and hexagon (six equal sides).
    Have cutouts of each shape in a variety of sizes. Have the child place the shapes on the correct paper. The child can also glue each shape to the correct paper.
  • Cut out shapes of squares, triangles, rectangles, and circles in varying sizes. Allow children to create pictures on blank paper with the shapes.
    Encourage using the shapes to create both concrete objects (people, trees, cars) and abstract objects (those that do not represent any known object).
  • Take your child on a shape hunt. Glue one each of a triangle, square, rectangle, and circle on small note cards. Consider punching a hole in each card and placing the cards on a ring for easy access. Take the cards outside or through the house looking for common objects for each shape.
    The cards serve as a reminder and reference. The adult can list on the back of each shape card what the child finds for the particular shape. Review the list once the game is stopped.

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