Shape Mats

Activity Overview

Developing a sense of shapes and the vocabulary we use to describe their attributes is foundational to mathematical thinking. In this activity, children learn to observe, discuss, and interact with shape images through a variety of tactile experiences.

What You Need

• Shape Mats printed on durable paper, then either laminated or placed in a sheet protector for durability (and so playdough will not stick to the paper)

• Clay or playdough (we recommend homemade – see our playdough recipe here)

• Small manipulatives like counting bears, beads, or buttons

• Craft materials like pom poms, pipe cleaners, or googly eyes

Steps

1. Choose one shape from the Shape Mats to observe and explore. Trace your finger around the shape and guide the student to do the same. Discuss characteristics of the shape using guiding questions.

2. Use playdough, manipulatives, and artistic materials to cover the border and inside of the shape.

3. Grab another shape mat and repeat steps 1-2! When you’re finished, place the Shape Mats in a safe location that is readily accessible for games and activities. Help the child to return the mats to the same spot after they are finished using the cards to practice organization and avoid losing the mats.

Guiding Questions

• What shape is this?

• Does the shape have sides, corners, points? How many?

• What do you notice about the length of the sides?

• How can you describe the shape? Is it straight, curved, round, pointy?

• Where in your home have you seen this shape? Where outside have you seen this shape?

• Do you notice the word [circle]? Look at the red letter. What letter is that? What letter does [circle] start with?

• How many [counting bears, buttons, pom poms, pieces of pasta, stones] did you use to make the border?

Extensions

• To create a tactile exploration, which will undoubtedly appeal to many young learners, add a bead of glue around the border of the shape or at each corner of the shape.

• Print an extra copy of the shapes and get creative with them! Use paint, crayons, or markers to color them in.

• In addition to the craft materials, gather some small dried foods from the pantry – beans, pasta, rice, millet, quinoa – and use them to cover the border of the shapes.

• Go on a nature walk and collect natural materials – pinecones, acorns, stones, bark, leaves, flowers, sticks. Use them to cover the border of the shapes.