Early Math Counts

• Play-Doh
• Poster to put up in the classroom and go over with the children
• Objects that resemble 3-D objects or are 3-D objects
• Chart paper divided up into the different shapes
• Music

Note: Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that meet safety requirements.

1. Introduce all of the shapes to the children. Use the poster to help you introduce each of the shapes.
2. Ask the children to describe the characteristics of each of the shapes. Write down what they say on the chart paper. Point out the length, width and height of each shape. Be sure to point out the characteristics of the 3-D shapes that make them different from the 2-D shapes.

1. Introduce the game of “Hot Shape” (played like “Hot Potato”). Have the children gather in a circle and pass one of the shapes from one child to the next while the music plays. The player who is holding the “hot shape” when the music stops has to identify one characteristic of the shape. The game continues until all of the characteristics of all six shapes have been named. The game can also be played without music and with a designated leader who shouts out “shape!” The child holding the shape when the leader shouts will then name a characteristic of the shape.
2. After playing the game, give the children some Play-Doh to construct the different 3-D shapes.

Additional Extensions

• Have the children close their eyes while playing “Hot Shape.” When the music stops, the children will use their sense of touch to figure out the shape. If they are having difficulty, allow the other children in the circle to give them hints.

• 3-dimensional: A shape having three dimensions (length, width and height)
• Cone: A solid shape with a circular base and a curved surface that tapers to a point (e.g.,”A cone is like a party hat.”)
• Sphere: A ball. A three-dimensional solid that is perfectly round (e.g.,”A sphere is like a bouncy ball.”)
• Prism: A solid three-dimensional shape with two identical bases (e.g.,”A prism is a tall building.”)
• Cylinder: A solid shape with one curved surface and two identical bases (e.g.,”A can of pop is a cylinder.”)
• Cube: A solid shape that has six square faces all equal in size, eight vertices and 12 equal edges (e.g.,”A cube is like the dice you drop.”)

Early Math Glossary

Adapt Lesson for Toddlers

Toddlers may:

• Not yet be ready to name the characteristics of the different 3-D shapes

Child care providers may:

• Familiarize the children with the 3-D shapes by allowing them to build and engage in free play with the shapes

Adapt Lesson for Preschoolers

Preschoolers may:

• Readily identify the characteristics of the 3-D shapes
• Have a real aptitude for building with the Play-Doh and a solid sense of spatial reasoning

Child care providers may:

• Have the children close their eyes while playing “Hot Shape.” When the music stops, the children will use their sense of touch to figure out the shape. If they are having difficulty, allow the other children in the circle to give them hints.
• Give the children a challenge or a problem to solve (like designing a car of the future) and watch them get creative. Group members can work together to create a sculpture or an imaginary animal. They can also give a small presentation about their construction. Make sure that the children use and combine the 3-D shapes discussed.