Sculpting Simple & 3D Shapes

A great way to help your preschoolers master shapes is through sculpture - learning through creation. We found several great center activities to get the ideas flowing...

Fine Motor and Shapes Preschool Lesson Plans
Photo Source: puttiprapancha.blogspot.com

Try colorful play dough and toothpick sculptures like these at Putti Prapancha...

Fine Motor and Shapes Preschool Lesson Plan
Photo Source: tinkerlab.com

...use sugary gumdrops and toothpicks like these at TinkerLab...

Fine Motor and Shapes Preschool Lesson Plan
Photo Source: artfulparent.typepad.com

...or try a marshmallow-toothpick combination like these at The Artful Parent!

You might also consider trading out toothpicks for one of the following materials...

  • Uncooked spaghetti noodles
  • Coffee stirrer straws
  • Drinking straws
  • Chenille stems

...although you need to be conscientious of what you're using to hold them together. For instance, drinking straws may not work well with gumdrops {the ends are too 'blunt'}, but should do just fine if working with malleable play dough. Uncooked spaghetti noodles may not have the strength to push through a gumdrop without breaking, but would work okay with marshmallows.