Toddler Programs Chapter
By Miranda Bauer and WyLaina Hildreth
Circle Triangle Square Dance
- Books to Share
- Nametag
- Fingerplays
- Songs
- Crafts
- Games and Activities
- Books to Display or Booktalk
- Bulletin Board
- Displays
- Professional Resources
Books to Share
Black on White by Tana Hoban.
Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh.
Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert.
Ship Shapes by Stella Blackstone.
Nametag
Cut out basic shapes such as circles, squares, and triangles, and write the child’s name on the shape.
Fingerplays
Make a Shape
Draw a circle, draw a circle,
Draw it in the sky.
Use your finger, use your finger,
Make it round as a pie.
Draw a square, draw a square,
Make the lines so straight.
Make a square, make a square,
Draw a box in the air!
Songs
Sing “ Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Crafts
Super Shape Collage
Materials
- Construction paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Crayons
- Optional: Tissue paper, sand paper
Directions
In advance, cut shapes of various sizes and colors. Let the children glue the shapes however they want to onto the construction paper. After the glue dries, they can decorate their art with crayons. You may also use various textures when cutting out your shapes, such as tissue paper, sandpaper, etc.
People Shapes
Materials
- Construction paper
- Pre-cut shapes
- Glue
- Crayons
Directions
Pre-cut shapes in various sizes and colors. Give each child a sheet of construction paper. Have each child make a person out of the shapes. For example, a triangle could be used for a body, while a circle could be used as a head, and rectangles for arms. Show the book Thump, Thump, Rat-a-Tat-Tat by Gene Baer for inspiration.
Games and Activities
I Spy With Shapes
Seat the children in a circle. Start the game by saying, “I spy” and call out a shape that is in the room. For example, if you have a square table in the room, you could say, “I spy something square.” Have the children take turns guessing what it is. The child who guesses correctly gets to call out the next shape. Continue the game until everyone has had a chance to call out a shape.
Shape Hunt
Cut out circles, squares, stars, hearts, and triangles of various sizes and colors and place them around the room. Make one set from flannel material. Place a shape on the flannel board and then ask the toddlers to search the room to find the same shape.
Books to Display or Booktalk
Where a Line Bends... A Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Greene.
Round is a Moon Cake: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Thong.
So Many Circles, So Many Squares by Tana Hoban.
Thump, Thump, Rat-a-Tat-Tat by Gene Baer.
Bulletin Board
Make a bulletin board with basic shapes that when combined make animals you would find here in Texas. Utilize the book Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert for inspiration.
Displays
Display objects and props and label their shapes. For example display a beach ball and label it as a circle. Display a square throw pillow and label it as a square.
Professional Resources
DLTK’s Shape Buddies
http://www.dltk-teach.com/shapes/index.htm
This page contains activities for learning shapes, including printable coloring pages, paper crafts, and a jigsaw puzzle you can make.
Teaching Toddlers: Shapes
http://www.littlemummy.com/2007/06/18/teaching-toddlers-shapes/
This web site features games and activities to teach toddlers shapes.