Shapes in Kindergarten
Shapes Goals
Kindergartener will learn to describe the world using their knowledge of geometric ideas. The following goals describe what we will practice this year.
Kindergartener will learn to describe the world using their knowledge of geometric ideas. The following goals describe what we will practice this year.
- Name shapes. Kindergarteners will learn to name basic shapes and should understand that a shape is still the same even when it is rotated.
- Describe shapes and tell if a shape is two- or three-dimensional. Students will practice describing shapes based on their number of sides, the length of their sides, the number of vertices (corners), and more. Students will also be able to identify if a shape is two- or three-dimensional.
- Compare shapes. Once students are comfortable with the vocabulary used to describe shapes, they will use the vocabulary to compare shapes. Which shape has more sides/vertices? Which shape has fewer sides/vertices? Which shape is bigger? Which shape is smaller? Etc.
- Describe an object's location. Kindergarteners will learn and practice vocabulary words, like above, below, next to, behind, in front of, over, under, etc., that describe an object's location.
- Build shapes and construct shapes with other shapes. Kindergarteners will also learn to build shapes with objects, like play dough, sticks, or by drawing. It's also important that kindergarteners learn to join shapes to construct different shapes. Can your child join two triangles to create a square or a rectangle? Can he create a bigger triangle with two smaller triangles? Can she join shapes to create a shape that looks like a house?
Shapes at Home
Learning to see shapes in everyday life is very important. Take a look at some of the ideas below to help your child practice geometric ideas.
Learning to see shapes in everyday life is very important. Take a look at some of the ideas below to help your child practice geometric ideas.
- Watch this video to help your child learn the shapes in Spanish.
- See if your child can find shapes in normal household items. What shape makes a door? A window? The television? A clock? After identifying the shapes, ask your child to identify the number of sides and corners in the shape.
- Take two objects and practice describe their location. For example, ask your child to place their favorite toy over, under, next to, behind, or in front of a chair.
- See if your child can build shapes from other shapes. For example, two triangles put together could make a rectangle or a square. A "house" shape can be made by putting a triangle on top of a square.