Shapes Activities for Kids: Creative and Playful Ways to Teach Geometry at Home

Introduction

Geometry can be defined as that branch of mathematics that deals with the study of different shapes and figures. Teaching geometry to kids holds a lot of significance because every tangible element in the environment has some shape or the other. Knowing the difference between each of these shapes and understanding various formulas can help the child grow a better understanding of the world around them and also foster stronger mathematical acumen.

Traditionally, geometry is taught in the classroom through lectures, backed by showcasing different shapes to support the content of the lecture. However, the traditional approach of learning geometry through lectures and consistent practice might not work for all kids. In this scenario, teaching kids' geometry by using real-world learning can make geometry more interesting.

Playful Activities for Kids to Learn Geometry

Here is a list of some engaging activities that parents may use to develop a deeper and clearer understanding of geometry among kids.

• Creating Line Segments with Geoboards

It's important to understand that to learn geometry, one must understand how different lines come together to make a particular shape. To make children understand perpendicular and line segments, a hands-on teaching method works well. A geoboard is a very fun-looking tool that can be used by parents to teach their children how to join different lines. It's also unconventional and maybe a little more interesting than the conventional method of drawing shapes with pencil and scale.

• Building Shapes with Playdough

Creating shapes with play dough is a tactile learning technique that allows the child to engage in creating 3-D shapes. It also helps make the child understand the difference between length, breadth, and height which is a fundamental concept in understanding geometry. Also, parents can make the child understand vertices, sides, angles, and other such concepts through play dough.

• Making Shapes with Pattern Blocks

Teaching elementary-level kids' geometry can be supported by using pattern blocks. It helps the child make different types of shapes, patterns, and comprehend the rotational properties of shapes. It may also help the child develop a deeper sense of critical thinking and analysis by understanding proportions and how different-looking shapes can be similar to each other on a lot of levels.

• Using Lego Sets

A Lego set can activate the brain and help the child solve math puzzles easily. Depending upon the ability of the child to analyze, parents may utilize the set for their convenience and support the learning of geometry. It is also a multipurpose tool that can be used by class teachers to explain the various properties of specific shapes. A child may also be able to differentiate between lengths, sides, and vertices through the support of this tool.

• Online Games

Learning geometrical concepts can also be reinforced through many online games. Parents should try to search for such games that align with the curriculum of the child and support experiential learning. These games also come with assessments and quizzes that not only make a child conceptually strong but also help in a better understanding of properties that need to be remembered. It can also support the enhancement of the interest of the child in learning geometry and keeping them attentive for a longer time.

• Draw Shapes with Tangrams

Tangrams are kinds of puzzles that were invented in China and then traveled to different parts of the world through traders. This is a kind of puzzle in which seven flat geometrical shapes are used to make a silhouette that looks like a square. Each of these seven parts can be manipulated to make different shapes. While the original tangram is made out of wood, it can be easily imitated at home using paper. It is a highly engaging tool in which a child constantly manipulates the seven different parts of the whole tangram, to structure other shapes. The child can learn about hexagons, pentagons, squares, and quadrilaterals.

• Practice in Groups

Learning anything in a group is always more fun and allows the child to hear the perspectives of other kids. Parents can arrange such study dates where kids come together to learn geometry and quiz each other. Interesting games such as geometric quizzes or shape, and description rounds can be played where kids indulge in competing with each other. It can help them improve their understanding and knowledge of shapes and their properties.

• Taking Assessment Tests

A very important activity that needs to be done at the end of the learning is taking a proper assessment test. This helps in analyzing whether the child understood the concept or not. It can also help the parent understand the weak and strong areas of a child. To make this assessment activity more interesting, parents can make worksheets that are highly integrative. Try to include colorful cartoons in the corners so that the worksheet looks visually attractive. Also, you may include various exercises like true/ false, fill ups, name the following, or so, to make the child feel engaged.

Conclusion

Through hands-on practice and activities that are inspired by real-life applications, the understanding of geometry among kids can become very strong. Participating in such activities can make the child feel excited about learning and mastering geometry easily.

References

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330092761_Learning_and_teaching_geometry_in_early_childhood

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1357339.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372221288_Teaching_and_Learning_of_Geometry-A_Literature_Review_on_Current_Developments_in_Theory_and_Practice