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: 21-24 Months

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Have two shape puzzles or make them. Make shape puzzles by using colored paper. Make three sets of drawings with a circle, square and triangle of the same size on each one. Cut the shapes out on two of them.

First give the child all of the paper shapes and watch what he does with them. If he does not automatically group them in like pairs, suggest, “Let’s find the ones that are alike and put them together.”

The child matches shapes. He may make patterns as well, lining them up on the floor.

Encourage early childhood educators and parents to label the various shapes they see in their environment, so children learn that these shapes are not just in puzzles, they are everywhere.