A: There are all sorts of shapes around us. Look around as you walk along the road and you'll see oval and rectangle doors and windows, triangle and circle road signs, and round bus tyres, plus many 2D and 3D shapes. So learning about shapes can start with parents as they bring their children to nursery.
In the nursery, there are shapes everywhere. Empty the junk area and you will find different shapes from boxes and egg cartons to ribbons, tubes, balls and buttons. Or take a look at the irregular shapes of the fruit and vegetables in the role play area.
Start by naming the shapes - square, rectangle, oval, circle, cube and so on. Label bigger items to help children learn and provide plenty of resources so they can see, hold, form, make and test shapes. Don't forget to allow children to become different shapes with their bodies so they can feel like a star or a circle. Shapes can be confusing, so take your time.
June O'Sullivan is chief executive of the childcare charity and social enterprise, the London Early Years Foundation
Email questions, marked "Experts", to cypnow@markallengroup.com
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