How to Begin Teaching Toddlers About Shapes - Circles

Whether you are a day care provider or a parent, if you have toddlers in your life you've probably heard how important it is to start stimulating their brains when they're still young. But, do you think a child between the ages of one and two is too young to be learning shapes? A child that young certainly can at least start learning about shapes. The trick is to start slowly, with one shape at a time, and keep the lessons short, simple and fun. Here, I've supplied you with several lesson ideas to help you teach your toddler the concept of a circle. You can pick and choose which lessons you do, or do them all and spread them out over the course of a week, a month, or more.

CIRCLE ART

Paper Plate Circle: You'll need some white paper plates, and a set of "dot paints" or Bingo Blotters. Show the toddler the paper plate, and tell him that it is a circle. Give him one dot painter at a time, and show him how to make the dots on the plate. The motion is simple, and the painters are large enough for a tiny hand to grip, so the toddler should get the hang of it quickly. As he makes the dots, say, "Circle! Circle! You're making circles!"

Block Painting: You'll need some paper, washable poster paints, and large interlinking blocks such as Mega Bloks. Put paint on the circular parts that stick out from the faces of the blocks. Show the toddler how to use the block as a stamp, thumping it onto the paper to make circle prints. Again, tell her, "You're making circles!"

Lady Bug: Cut out a large red circle, and many small black circles. Show the circles to the toddler, telling him that they are circles. Put dots of glue on the backs of the black circles, and hand them to the toddler, allowing him to stick them onto the red circle wherever he wants. You may have to show him, at first, what you want him to do, but he should quickly get the hang of the action of setting the black circles down on the red circle. Each time you hand him a circle, say, "Here's another circle!" Once he's added as many black circles as he wants, you can finish the job for him by coloring in a black head on the top of the circle, and making a black line down the middle. You can also add large "googly" eyes, and have the toddler stick those somewhere onto the head.

Sticker Circle" Cut out a large circle from construction paper. Hand stickers to the toddler, saying, "Put this onto the circle!" After you show her how to do this, she should be able to stick several stickers onto the circle.

When you do these art projects, hang them up where the toddler can see them. Point them out often, saying, "Lets look at all of the circles!"

CIRCLE ACTION

Noisy Circles: You'll need a clean, empty coffee can, and some poker chips. Cut a slot into the lid of the coffee can, large enough for a poker chip to slide through. Show the toddler how to drop the poker chips into the slot. It makes a satisfying "clink" sound, and the toddler will enjoy hearing it! Tell him, "Where are the circles? Lets put in another circle!"

Walking In Circles: Use chalk to draw a large circle on your driveway. Walk around it with your toddler, or push him in a stroller or on his bike. You can tell her, "We're going in a circle!"

Circle In The Room: Make a large circle on the floor of your house with masking tape, Place some toys in the middle of the circle, and invite the toddler to play inside the circle.

CIRCLE SNACKS

Serve Cheerios or Fruit Loops, and sliced bananas or sliced grapes, as a snack. Tell your toddler, "Lets eat the circles!"

CIRCLE READING
Buy, or check out, some simple books about circles. Here are a few to start with: Circles (A+ Books: Shapes) by Sarah L. Schuette and Elena Bodrova; Around the Park: A Book About Circles (Know Your Shapes) by Christianne C. Jones and Ronnie Rooney; and Circles (Welcome Books) by Jan Kottke.

Surrounding your toddler with circles is the best way to teach him what a circle is. Repetition is also key. When you're hanging out with your toddler at home, or out and about together, point out things you see that are circle shaped, like wheels and clocks. Remember to keep the "lessons" short and simple. As soon as your toddler stops enjoying the activity, move on to something else. Soon, he will be pointing out circles to you on his own!