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: 48-54 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 48-54 Months.

During center time, have children create art pictures from shapes. Have a variety of shape blocks, including different types of triangles and sizes of shapes.

Ask the child to create a design with just the corners touching. Then ask them to create a design with just the sides touching.

Observe whether the child comprehends the idea of corners and sides. A few may be able to differentiate these, but most will just make a pattern or structure.

Use the exact terms for each type of triangle, so children begin to know the names isosceles, etc. Comment when children create a shape. “Oh look you made a diamond out of two isosceles triangles.”