How To Teach Shapes Using Hands To Preschoolers

Teach Shapes Using Hands

Shapes are a foundational concept in early learning, and using hand gestures to demonstrate them makes learning more engaging and hands-on. By using finger shapes, kids can better understand the geometric forms and have fun spotting shapes in their environment. Here’s how to teach shapes using hands with simple hand gestures and everyday objects.

How to Teach Shapes Using Hands

Circle

Form a circle by enclosing your index finger with your thumb to create a round shape. Tell the children that this is a circle. To reinforce the concept, ask them to look around and find other circular objects, like plates, bangles, or the base of a cup.

Square

To make a square, create an “L” shape with your index and middle fingers on each hand. Bring both “L” shapes together to form a square. Explain that this four-sided shape is a square. Encourage kids to look around for square objects like windows, towels, or tiles.

Rectangle

Form an “L” shape with your thumb and index finger on both hands. Invert one hand, then bring both together to create a rectangular shape. Teach them that this is a rectangle, typically longer than it is wide. Examples they can find include a TV, door, or book.

Triangle

Use your index and middle fingers to form a “V” shape. Use the index finger of your other hand to complete the “V” and form a triangle. Explain that this three-sided shape is a triangle, and ask them to spot items shaped like it, such as slices of pizza, nachos, or certain roof designs.

Oval

To make an oval shape, join the middle and index fingers of the same hand to create an elongated, rounded form. Explain that this shape is an oval, which is like a stretched circle. Encourage kids to find oval-shaped items around them, such as mirrors, eggs, or certain fruits like grapes.

Rhombus

Using the square shape made with your hands, simply tilt it to create a rhombus. Let them know that this diamond-like shape is called a rhombus. Objects like kites, diamonds, or certain window panes often resemble a rhombus.

Heart

Shape a “C” with one hand, then mirror it with your other hand to form a heart shape. Kids will enjoy this sweet symbol, often seen on cards, decorations, or in emojis.

Teaching Concepts with Shapes

How Will You Teach Shapes to Children

Teaching shapes is most effective through hands-on exploration, visual examples, and active engagement. Using hand gestures for shapes allows children to physically feel the shape structure, enhancing memory and recognition. After demonstrating with hand shapes, show them objects with similar forms around them and encourage them to identify each.

What Are the Outcomes of a Shapes Activity

Shapes activities foster:

Visual recognition and identification skills
Fine motor skills through gestures and pointing
Spatial awareness, helping children understand the orientation of objects
Language development as they learn shape names
Cognitive skills by sorting and classifying objects based on shape

What Is the Concept of Shapes for Kids

For preschoolers, shapes are defined by specific outlines and boundaries. Learning shapes helps children differentiate between items, understand their surroundings, and develop early geometry concepts. Identifying shapes builds their understanding of patterns and sizes, forming a foundation for math and science skills.

What Are the 5 Basic Shapes for Preschool

The five basic shapes commonly introduced in preschool are:

Circle
Square
Triangle
Rectangle
Oval

These shapes are easy to recognize in everyday objects and are essential for building early geometry skills.

What Are Fun Activities to Teach Shapes to Kids

Shape Hunt: Encourage kids to search for items of specific shapes around the room or outdoors.
Sorting Game: Provide various shape cutouts and ask children to sort them into categories.
Shape Collage: Cut out shapes and let kids create artwork by gluing them into designs.
Shape Tracing: Use templates for kids to trace shapes on paper with crayons or markers.
Shape Storytime: Incorporate shape-themed storybooks where characters or objects take on different forms.

By incorporating hands-on, visual, and interactive learning techniques, teaching shapes with hand gestures is both fun and educational for young children, opening their minds to a world filled with shapes and patterns.