There are so many resources and activities available when teaching shapes to kindergarten. It can be overwhelming!
I mean, I want to use different activities, and get my kids engaged and excited. But do I really need all the stuff? No!
I follow the KISS method when it comes to education. Don’t be extra! Just keep it simple.
This definitely applies to teaching shapes: what activities you use and what manipulatives, too.
Today, I am going to show you my favorite resource for teaching shapes! Shape tracing cards! What do I love most about shape tracing cards?
You can use it for 5 different activities!
Yes, it’s true. This one printable will give you 5 different shape activities to use. Now, you will need a few other things to do the activities. I’ll talk about those as I go through the 5 activities.
*Looking for the a deal? Shape Tracing Cards are included in Play-Based Preschool Curriculum at a great value. Learn more about Play-Based Preschool Curriculum in my blog Preschool Curriculum with Themes Each Week.
Prepping to Teach Shapes
Before we get into the 5 activities you can do with shape tracing cards, I want to make sure you know how to prep your cards.
These are made to be hand-on. So, you will need to print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Sounds simple? It is!
There are only 3 pages, so you won’t use much ink (always a plus). I use a personal laminator and don’t pre-cut. Once I have laminated my pages, I use a paper trimmer to cut the cards apart.
That’s it! Now my cards are ready to use.
So, let’s get started teaching shapes to kindergarten!
1. Dry Erase Tracing
What you need: dry erase markers, magic eraser
How to do it: Have kids trace the shape with the markers. Then, erase before switching shapes.
This is the simplest way to use tracing cards, which is why I listed it first. It is also a big hit with kids. For some reason, kids love dry erase markers. Am I right?
*For new preschoolers: they are still developing their finger control. Allow them to color the shape instead of tracing it. They are still learning to identify the shape and strengthening their fine motor skills, too.
2. Sensory Tray Drawing
What you need: tray, sensory material, paint brushes
How to do it: Put your sensory material on your trays. Have kids pull a card from a pile and draw their shape in the sensory material with a paint brush.
Sensory Materials Ideas: sand, sprinkles, rice, salt, shaving cream
This is my favorite way to use shape tracing cards. However, you need to make sure your kids are mature enough for the sensory material you are using, since it can get messy.
Some stores (Target) sell wooden trays specifically for sensory writing. However, I do not recommend them because they are small and made of wood…
I like to give kids more space to write/draw since they are still developing their dexterity. Also, wood can be a problem with some of the sensory materials I like to use (shaving cream).
3. Playdough Mats
What you need: playdough
How to do it: Give kids a shape tracing card, and have them fill the shape with playdoh.
Here is another super easy, low-prep way to use shape tracing cards. Playdough is always a favorite with kids, so they love this activity.
*Keep in mind: it can be difficult for younger kids to manipulate playdough the way they need to for this activity. A good rule of thumb is, if they can’t color inside the lines yet, it’s better to do a different activity.
4. Geoboard Mats
What you need: geoboards, rubber bands
How to do it: Give kids a shape tracing card, and have them use the rubber bands to form the shape on the geoboard.
I don’t know about but I loved geoboards when I was little. In fact, I asked for geoboards for Christmas just to use them with my kids. My husband’s comment, “Apparently you’re an old school teacher.”
Old school or not, kids still love geoboards!
If you are new to geoboards, have kids use one rubber band for each side of the shape instead of stretching the rubber band to form the entire shape. This reduces flying rubber bands, prevents snapped fingers, and extends the life of your rubber bands.
*Choking Hazard:Not for littles!* To be able to correctly use geoboards, kids need quite a bite of dexterity. If they cannot color inside the lines, they won’t be able to form shapes on a geoboard.
5. Manipulative Tracing
What you need: small manipulatives
How to do it: Give kids a shape tracing card, and have them lay the manipulatives around the outside of the shape.
Manipulative Ideas: fish marbles (my favorite), mini erasers, counting bears (dinos, etc)
Again, this is so easy, and kids love it, especially if they like the manipulative. I like to change up my manipulatives based on the theme or season.
Conclusion
Here’s the thing about teaching shapes to kindergarten. If you leave kids to do it on their own, they are not learning the shape’s attributes. They are just seeing the shape.
You are the magic key in teaching shape attributes.
With all of these activities, you need to be talking to the kids about:
- Name of the shapes
- Number of sides
- Number of vertices (corners)
- Length of sides
This is where the learning really happens: through the conversations. I know it can be tempting to just let them play, but make sure you engage them in talking about the shapes!
Get Your Shape Tracing Cards Now!
I have shape tracing cards in tons of themes (and remember you can get it in multiple themes in Play-Based Preschool Curriculum). Let me know if I’m missing the theme you need!
