Shape Up!: Shape Hunt + Matching + Spatial Words

Level 1 focuses on concrete, hands-on learning building core early skills.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Materials

Various cut out sugar paper shapes (circles, squares, triangles, rectangles) in different colours and sizes

Large paper or whiteboard

Markers or crayons

Chart paper

Picture cards of common household objects that represent shapes (clock for circle, book for rectangle, window for square, roof for triangle)

Basket or box for collecting shapes

Optional: Real-life objects that are similarly shaped to the cut outs (e.g., a round plate, a square block, a triangular flag)

Learning Objectives

Children will be able to identify and name basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle).

Children will be able to match shapes to their corresponding outlines.

Children will be able to use simple spatial words like "in," "on," and "next to."

Children will begin to recognise shapes in their home environment.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Gather the children and introduce the shapes, holding up each one and saying its name clearly. "Look, this is a circle, like the shape of our family dinner plate!"

2. Show the children the picture cards of household objects and discuss which shape each object resembles. "This clock is round, just like our circle shape!"

3. Explain that you are going on a "shape hunt" around the classroom, and then pretend to hunt for shapes in their own homes. Encourage them to look for these shapes when they go home to their families.

4. Guide the children to look for the sugar paper shapes hidden around the room. As they find them, have them say the shape's name and place it in the basket.

5. Once all shapes are found, bring the children back together. Draw outlines of the shapes on the large paper or whiteboard.

6. Invite children, one at a time, to select a shape from the basket and place it on its matching outline. Prompt them with spatial language: "Can you put the square in the square's spot?"

7. Continue matching until all shapes are correctly placed. Discuss how the shapes fit together, "The circle is next to the triangle."

8. Conclude by reinforcing how shapes are all around us, especially in our homes, and that their families can help them find even more shapes!

Educator Tip

For children who are just beginning to explore shapes, focus on just two or three. You can also extend this by having children draw their favourite shape or a shape they see in their home. Encourage parents to point out shapes during daily routines at home, like finding circles on wheels or rectangles in doors, to connect learning to their family life.

Assessment

Observe children's ability to correctly identify and name the shapes during the hunt and matching activity. Note their participation in using spatial language. You can also ask individual children to point to a specific shape or its outline.

Educator tip

Pre-cut difficult pieces; use visual schedule; model spatial language.

Assessment

Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Teacher checklist: engagement, correct attempt at target skill.

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