Use a variety of methods to teach basic shapes to toddlers. Obtain a poster or set of cards that depict each shape. Point to and name the shapes each day. Encourage the children to repeat the names of the shapes. Visit the library to borrow shape books written for toddler-age children. As you read, point to shapes occasionally without naming them to encourage toddlers to name them instead. Help toddlers make three-dimensional circles, squares and triangles from craft dough. Take a "shape walk," in your home or school to find objects of a certain shape. Photograph the objects you find, then make a teaching book titled, "Our Circle Walk," or "Squares Everywhere."
Teach toddlers to recognize and name colors. Use planned lessons and seize teachable moments in everyday opportunities. Begin with the primary colors---red, blue and yellow. Make a pile of red objects in the center of a rug. Challenge toddlers to search for red objects, then place them in the pile. Make a blue pile and a yellow pile. Give toddlers one crayon to draw a picture in a specific color, then take the finished art on a walk to find things in the environment that match. Ask children to name the colors of items they use each day. Say, "What color juice cup would you like?" or "Will you wear your red shirt or your green shirt today?"
Create opportunities for language development when you read books to toddlers each day. Provide a warm, comfortable atmosphere for reading time. Don't just seat children in rows or at a table; let toddlers associate story time with pleasure. Include pillows or bean bags in the reading area. Read simple, toddler-friendly books. When you are through with the story, show the children the pictures once more. Ask questions about them. Encourage toddlers to describe what they liked or did not like about the story. Ask the children to tell about a favorite scene or character in the book.
Plan art for toddlers with the experience of creating the project, not the perfection of the end result, as the goal. Combine color and shape awareness in a finger-painting lesson. Cut pieces of sturdy card-stock into circles. Give toddlers blue finger paint to smash onto the shapes. Make card-stock triangles and squares. Let toddlers finger-paint the shapes yellow or red. Provide chubby, toddler-friendly crayons and bright-colored construction paper for coloring. Give toddlers geometric-shaped stickers to peel off sticker sheets and place on the drawings.