IN & OUT OF SHAPE

BE A “MATHLETE”

Why play this way?

Cybèle Young’s work is both meticulously precise and playfully creative, which is what makes it so wonderful. In this activity, children will experiment with creating images similar to those in Nancy Knows. This chocolate zucchini bread experience not only invites fun and creativity but also supports mathematical development through size comparisons, spatial reasoning, problem-solving, categorization, and shape recognition.

Math
Arts & Crafts
Household
Fine Motor
Let's Play!

SET THE STAGE FOR PLAY: 5 Minutes

Adult Participation: Optional

Ready

Several pieces of white paper 

Pencil or pen

Set

Gather a large collection of tiny loose parts from around the house: Buttons, beads, knick-knacks, scraps of paper, ribbons, dice, corks, pom poms, cotton balls, Q-tips, stamps, bottle caps, earrings, paper clips, dry beans, coins, etc.

Draw 3 circles of varying sizes on a piece of paper. (Grown-ups, feel free to lend a hand with this step!)

Play!

Explore your new collection of tiny loose parts on top of your paper.

Experiment with Space & Size

  • Can you fill each circle with tiny loose parts?
  • Which circle holds the most? Why do you think that is?
  • Can you leave the circles empty and cover the rest of your paper with tiny loose parts?

Sort & Categorize

  • Can you fill one circle with loose parts that are the same shape
  • Can you fill another with parts that are the same color?
  • Can you put them in neat rows? In a jumbled mess?

Take out a fresh sheet of paper to create a new playscape for your tiny loose parts by experimenting with:

  • Incomplete circles, straight lines, squiggles, one giant shape, tiny shapes, dots, squares, triangles, a grid, etc.

PLAY YOUR WAY! WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO WITH TINY LOOSE PARTS AND PAPER?

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