Musical Shapes

[15 Minutes]

Learning the names of shapes can be hard for many children. This game and song can help your child identify the key characteristic of each shape.

You'll need:

• shapes cut from cardboard (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) • paper lunch bag

What to do:

1. Place the shapes in front of your child. (If he doesn't know the names of any shapes, start with two.)
2. Tell him the names of the shapes and talk about their features: how many sides they have, how many corners or points.
3. Ask your child to place the shapes into the lunch bag.
4. Sing the "Can You Find Song" to your child and let him try to feel and find the shape about which you are singing. Encourage him to reply with the second verse once he finds the shape. (Tune: "The Muffin Man")

   Can you find the triangle,
   The triangle, triangle,
   Can you find the triangle? It has three sides.
   
   Yes, I found the triangle,
   The triangle, the triangle,
   Yes, I found the triangle,
   It has three sides.

5. You can change the words to fit each shape as follows:

   rectangle-- 2 long and 2 short.
   square-- all 4 sides are the same.
   circle-- it goes round and round.

How to use:

1. Invite your child to trace around the shapes on a piece of paper and use them to make a picture.
2. Encourage him to look around the house for objects with these shapes.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Let's look at some of your toys. Can you find some shapes on this car? This game?
• What would happen if a car had square wheels?
• How would you look with a triangle head?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, your child is learning about shapes, developing listening skills and matching skills.