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: Spatial understanding

Age: 54-60 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 54-60 Months.

Have a low box (the same shape as the classroom) with the flaps removed. Cut a door to correspond to the door in the classroom on one side. Have small blocks or tiny boxes, paper, thin cardboard, markers, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, tape and other miscellaneous items for making classroom furniture and people. Also have any available dollhouse furniture that corresponds to what is in the classroom. Let the child create a replica of the classroom.

Ask the child to study the room and where everything is in relation to the classroom door. Have them work to make the model of the room.

Observe the child and listen to his discussion of where things should be located in the box. Check for accuracy. Once items are identified and created, see where the child places them in the box.

This type of activity is highly motivating and can be replicated for other parts of the school, including the playground, library, gym, lunchroom, etc. Making dioramas helps children develop spatial reasoning skills, while at the same time building a scene for dramatic play later.