Introduce children to shapes by creating or printing a set of cards that have one shape on each card. Hold up the card to the students and tell them about the shape. Indicate whether it has sides and how many. Provide some examples of items that are the same shape. Invite students to think about other items that are the same shape and make a list of them on a piece of chart paper.
This is a hands-on activity for reinforcing a toddler's knowledge of shapes. Put several items in a box that have different shapes. For example, a button, a CD, a book, a square earring, a card or a small plastic pizza slice. Lay out cards with pictures of a circle, square, rectangle and triangle. Tell children to place each item by the correct card.
Introduce children to a few colors at a time. Start with red, yellow and blue. Show the children different items in the room that are each color. Then let children take turns finding an item that is the color you request. For example, ask children to find a red item or a yellow one. As the children master the game, teach them additional colors.
Explain that objects are different sizes. Point out that a broom is bigger than a pencil. Let students compare other objects. For example, hold up a large square and a small one so students can identify which is bigger. Give students a pencil and paper. Tell them they are going to walk outside. During the walk, tell students to draw three items that are smaller than a pencil and three items that are bigger than a pencil.
Make your own shape worksheet. Give the children crayons. Tell them to color different shapes specific colors. For example, they can color triangles blue or rectangles green. Check to make sure students are recognizing the correct shape and color. You can also incorporate different size shapes into the worksheet to test size recognition skills. For example, instruct them to color small triangles yellow and large ones red.