Square, circle, triangle. Learning the basic shapes may just seem like a normal part of a child’s development, but shape recognition is connected to other learning in ways that might surprise you.
Shape recognition means children have memorized the names and the different appearances of various shapes. That alone means that they are using their memory and observation skills. Once children know basic shapes, they will be curious to search of them wherever they go. Playing with 3D shapes also means that children develop their hand eye coordination. It may be strange to think, but learning about shapes at a young age will come in handy when your child starts using them to create drawings and later when they start studying math. Shape recognition will also help children when they start to learn the letters of the alphabet.
For now, we’re just going to stay with the basics and leave the decagons for later.
This topic is a key component of the following early learning domain and goal of the State of Alaska Early Learning Guidelines:
Educational Domain: Cognition & General Knowledge
Goal: Children sort, classify, and organize objects
