Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Cognitive Development (CD)

Subdomain: Mathematical Thinking and Expression

Goal: Children identify and use common shapes and concepts about position during play and other activities.

Skill Progression: Recognizes geometric shapes

Age: 36-42 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 36-42 Months.

Have a variety of shape blocks. Ask the child what she wants to build. Provide suggestions if needed (e.g., an airport, farm, zoo, town, etc.).

As you are building say, “I need another one of these (holding up a block shape).“

The child matches all simple shapes including a rectangle.

Matching is an important part of learning to categorize objects. Children learn what is alike and different in many ways: color, size, number, shape, etc. Early childhood educators and parents can point out these likenesses and differences in their everyday routines. For example, “This cracker is round and this one is square.” Or use shape cookie cutters to make cookies or sandwiches (real or with play dough).