I believe that storytimes about concepts such as Colors, Opposites, and shapes make the best toddler storytimes. These storytimes help add important vocabulary to a young child’s growing repertoire. Here are some of my favorite books and activities for toddlers about shapes.
Books
Walter’s Wonderful Web by Tim Hopgood
City Shapes by Diana Murray
Lots of Dots by Craig Frazier
Chuck Murphy’s Bow Wow: A Pop-Up Book of Shapes
Shapes at Play by Silvia Borando
Triangle by Matt Burnett
Activities
“Make a Circle, Draw a Square”
This song encourages te kids to draw the shapes in the air. It also happens to be to the tune of “Oh My Darling Clementine,” which is my favorite children’s tune!
“Make a Circle, Draw a Square”
(to the tune of “Oh My Darling Clementine”)
Make a circle, make a circle, draw it high in the sky
Use your finger, use your finger, make it round as pie
Make a square, make a square, make the corners turn
All our shapes, all our shapes, all our shapes we will learn
Make a triangle, make a triangle, always start at the top
Go this way, go that way, use three lines then stop
“Where is Triangle”
This one is to the tune of “Friere Jaques.” I made little shape puppets on popsicle sticks with googly eyes and pipecleaner limbs. They were adorable, but unfortunately did not survive play time in order for me to take a picture…
“Where is Triangle”
Where is triangle? Where is triangle?
Here I am. Here I am.
How are you today, sir? Very well, I thank you.
Run away. Run away.
(Repeat this rhyme with rectangle, circle, and square)
“A Shape Story”
I made my own flannels for this little story and adapted it just a little to my own taste. It’s actually a really great flannel because it works for quite a few themes including Colors and houses and homes.
Conclusion
I really like this theme. All three of these activities were very well received. Walter’s Wonderful Web was my favorite book of the bunch!
