Teaching Toddlers & Preschoolers Shapes

Erin, mother and creator of Home Grown Hearts blog, offers an exciting and unique project for teaching or reviewing shapes with your toddlers and preschoolers.

Supplies You'll Need
- Shape window templates (triangle, square, rectangle, oval, circle, etc.)
- Card stock
- Contact paper
- Scissors or exacto knife
- Jumbo craft sticks The process is simple; print the shapes onto card stock, use kid's scissors or an exacto knife to cut them out, use contact paper or other laminate to strengthen the shapes against wear and tear, then cut the shapes out again. You can make the executive decision on whether the middle of the shapes should be cut out or left clear to create a 'window' effect. For usability, use a hot glue gun to attach a jumbo craft stick to each shape.

Instruct your students to use these shape 'windows' to find objects in the classroom that match (e.g. the door knob matches the circle, a plastic Easter egg matches the oval, etc.) Whether you're teaching shapes or reviewing shape recognition, this is a fun activity that your toddlers and preschoolers will love!

Home Grown Hearts: Shape Beginnings: Shape Viewers