The beginning of a new school year is getting closer and closer. I have some preschool shape activities that will make that first-week fun for the kids and less stressful for you!
Preschool Shape Activities
First of all, make sure shapes are used throughout your day. I start with some simple preschool shape activities during circle time. For Math centers, I begin with fun preschool shape activities that are developmentally appropriate and fun. Similarly, I make sure there are preschool shape activities and crafts in all classroom centers.
Fun Preschool Shape Activities
We sort shapes with our “Shape Monsters” sorting activity. Likewise, we match shapes with “Shadow Shapes” matching mats, and we practice using our ‘pinchy’ fingers with a “Match and Clip” activity. Outside we look for shapes on our playground and around the school and we even eat a different shape each day at snack time! (Ritz cracker circles, tortilla chip triangles, Town House cracker ovals, graham cracker rectangles and squares…so many options!)
Feed the Shape Monster is one of the best activities for the first week of school. First of all, I gather up as many of each shape I have in my classroom. I use buttons, foam shapes, wood shapes, and more. Then set the monsters out on the rug and explain to the kids how we feed the circle monster circles, the triangle monster triangles…etc. Finally, kids then pull shapes out of a large tub and feed them to the correct monster! We name the shapes as we play, and more often than not the kids stayed to play the Shape Monster game over and over again!
Easy Prep Shape Activity
First of all, I made my own cute shape monsters with powerpoint shapes and some fun google eye clip art. A trip to the Dollar Store for plain brown gift bags (3 for $1) provides the base. Next, cut a mouth in the shape monster-the same shape as the monster. (ie; circle-circle shaped mouth, triangle-triangle shaped mouth, etc.) Then make a hole in each bag and stapled the shape monster to the front and matched the holes so we could ‘feed’ the monsters!
Shadow Shape Matching Mats are another fun and engaging shapes center. With this center, students are given mats with black ‘shadows’ of shapes printed on them. There is a group of colorful cut shapes for each mat placed in easy reach of the kids. They find the shape that matches the shadow and match them up! I made 4 mats in all, so the kids can do one or all three. This activity promotes a feeling of accomplishment. As a result, most kids end up doing all three of the mats.
For even more fun & learning, add fine motor skills. I use a Shape Match and Clip activity that is fantastic for learning shapes, and when you throw in a bunch of clothespins…you’ve got a center that does double duty! Shapes and fine motor skill development! The kids love learning how to use the clothespins…such a novelty at the beginning of the year. We use them throughout the year…it is great to watch the kiddos gain confidence and strength in their little hands!
Using preschool shape activities in your first week will yield great results! Not only will your class learn about basic shapes, above all, but they will also have FUN!
Shapes! 10 Shape Centers for Preschool, PreK, K, & Homeschool
