Learning to recognise shapes and colours is an important skill. It is universally considered as a foundational skill. It helps set children up for schooling and life. Many experts suggest that teaching shapes is best done through fun activities. Activities that involve toys like a shape sorter can be effective. A shape sorter is a toy that helps children from a young age have fun with shapes.
Learning benefits of shape and colour recognition
Everything around us is made up of shapes and colours. From rectangular doors to circular wheels, we see them all around us. Parents are responsible for teaching shapes and colours to their kids early on. It lays the groundwork for many important things to come. Solidifying their understanding of different characteristics of shapes takes a lot of practice. But it will help them know what a shape looks like. Or how many sides a shape has. Your children will be able to notice the difference between a red apple from a yellow banana. Or the difference between the rectangular door and circular wheels of their toy cars. Shape recognition helps prepare your child for more advanced concepts at school.
Shape and colour recognition helps your child learn and develop a wide range of skills.
Verbal Communication
Knowing the difference between a circle and square helps expand your children’s vocabulary. Same with knowing the difference between red and yellow. This allows them to be more descriptive with the sentences. It also makes it easier for them to express themselves and say what they want. For instance, your child will tell you that she wants to eat a triangular cookie or he wants to play with his red toy car.
Letters and Numbers
Letters and numbers are made up of different shapes. For example, if your child knows what a circle looks like then he will be able to recognise the letter 0 and the number 0. As soon as your child learns how to draw different shapes, it sets her up to learn how to write. It also helps with visual discrimination like knowing the difference between the letter X and J.
Sorting and Math
Knowing about shapes and sizes helps children understand the attributes and properties of shapes. It also helps them observe and note the differences and similarities of things around them. Many experts consider sorting and categorising as an early form of math and help develop logical thinking. Understanding how many sides a square has also helps your child know how to count.
Shape recognition also helps develop problem-solving skills and complete puzzles. When a child knows the characteristics of a circle, she can match it with the circular hole on her shape sorter. She can do the same thing with puzzles.
Shape and colour recognition is a basic skill. It is important to our lives and have bigger implications to both children and adults. Understanding the importance of teaching shapes and colours to kids at an early age sets them up for a better future. It also prepares them for schooling and guides them towards literacy.
