A Multi-Sensory Approach to Learning Shapes!
From plastic shape sorter balls to buckets with shape holes in the lids or wooden shape sorter cubes, we have all used some variation of them in our lifetime, either as a child or with our own children. Sorting shapes has long been a milestone for our toddler years. As we move into the preschool and kindergarten years, we need to find more creative ways to keep children engaged and learning more about more complex shapes and how various shapes can be combined to create new ones. This is where a multi-sensory, hands-on approach can be super helpful.
One exciting activity you can do is to send the kiddos on a scavenger hunt to find various objects of different shapes around the house. Take it outdoors too! Find shapes out in your environment. Whether you're in the city, suburbs or country you can find all sorts of shapes, they are everywhere! Give them a checklist to use so they are matching the shape on the list to the objects they find.
Another fun one is to have your child identify shapes by touch only, by putting different shaped items in a paper bag then having your child reach in and grab one. Without pulling it out they need to try to figure out what shape it is. For the little ones, use a grocery size paper bag and have them put both hands in at the same time. This is such a great game to play with the whole family, all my kids enjoy playing.
Making 3-D shapes out of different materials like large foam or wood building blocks, magnetic tiles, popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners is always lots of fun too. Honestly, putting anything together to create shapes can be a great learning experience!
If you want to add texture for another layer of sensory input, whip out the Play-Doh, or whip up your own batch of playdough or cloud dough! You can use cookie cutters or plastic cutting tools to make shapes. You can also use mats with shapes on them and have your child make a matching shape out of the dough with their hands. Add scents to the dough for added sensory input!
Another neat medium to use for making shapes is kinetic sand. It's moldable like wet sand, but dry and doesn’t stick to your hands. Great for when you don't want a huge mess to clean up. The best part is that it will hold shapes made with sand molds!
A great way to get the kiddos up and moving is to make a game by creating shapes on the floor inside with painter’s tape or outside with sidewalk chalk. Have the kiddos hop and run from shape to shape as you describe or call out the name of the shape they need to move to next.
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