It is totally useless to have a climbing wall when your child is still only 2 years old, and outright dangerous! What were we thinking when we added the climbing wall? Well to be honest, at first it sounded like a very cool idea, and it was definitely something I would have wanted somewhere in my early years. But alas, for a two-year-old, might be slightly ambitious. So, we decided to channel our inner 2-year-old and asked the question why? Why did we add it, why is it necessary, how will your young sprout benefit from the climbing wall. Similar to every adult that have ever tried to answer those questions, we have given our best shot.
Before I start to try and explain the science and leave you with some serious reading. Let's take you on a journey.
When we decided to build the indoor jungle gym, we went through a few design ideas, we asked mums and dads, drew pictures on paper, tried to understand how children played at kids' parties. You know, the 2-year-old celebration, with those nicely laid out kids' tables with all the sweets that almost every parent wishes their child didn't eat. But we feel too guilty to say no, because we like it just as much or sometimes even more, and when it is time for all the busy bodies to sit, they don't actually want to, because there is a trampoline, a ball pit and a lot of stimulation (aka chaos!). After a few of those, we started to realise that climbing walls are just amazing!! The question now remains, how do we make it valuable for a child that does not have the physical capability yet to use it? The answer that we got from one mother was "EASY! Just add shapes!!"
Of course! That is the answer, children learn faster when they play! Let's add some basic shapes at the bottom of the climbing wall. Suddenly you can teach your child about different shapes while they are running up and down the jungle gym, jumping into the cushions, giggling down the slide and all you have to do is say "come stand here at the triangle, then I race you to the blackboard and you show me where I drew the square on it."
Now that you know the story, why don't we dive a bit deeper into what you are developing when teaching your child some basic shapes.
As a parent, we are always on the lookout for ways to give our child the best possible start in life. One surprisingly powerful tool in early childhood development is learning basic shapes. Here’s how mastering shapes can play a crucial role in our child’s growth and set them on a path to exceptional development.
Building Cognitive Superpowers
- Pattern Recognition: Shapes are the first step towards understanding patterns in the world. Recognizing these patterns is the foundation for advanced math skills, including geometry and algebra. Imagine your child effortlessly solving math problems in the future because they started with shapes!
- Spatial Awareness: Shapes help kids develop an innate sense of where things are in space. This skill is crucial for tasks like reading maps, solving puzzles, and even navigating social interactions. Your child will have the spatial intelligence that sets them apart in school and beyond.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Playing with shapes sparks critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. When your child figures out how to fit a shape into the right spot, they're developing the analytical skills they'll use for a lifetime.
Enhancing Motor Skills for Future Excellence
- Fine Motor Skills: Drawing, tracing, and cutting out shapes are more than just fun activities. They strengthen the small muscles in your child’s hands and fingers, which are essential for writing, tying shoelaces, and performing other precise tasks. Your child will be ahead of the curve in developing fine motor control.
- Gross Motor Skills: Activities that involve recognizing and moving towards shapes boost large muscle group coordination. This not only improves physical fitness but also prepares them for sports and other physical activities, giving them a head start in a healthy lifestyle.
Boosting Language and Communication Abilities
- Vocabulary Expansion: Learning shapes introduces new words into your child's vocabulary, like "circle," "square," and "triangle." These words help them describe and understand their world better, laying the groundwork for strong language skills.
- Descriptive Skills: With a solid grasp of shapes, your child can describe objects more accurately, which is fantastic for their communication skills. This ability to articulate their thoughts clearly will benefit them academically and socially.
When to Start
- Ages 1-2: This is when kids start recognizing basic shapes like circles and squares. Simple toys and books with shape illustrations are perfect for this age. It’s never too early to start!
- Ages 2-3: Kids begin to name shapes and find them in their surroundings. They may also start drawing simple shapes. Encourage this by pointing out shapes during everyday activities.
- Ages 3-4: By now, children can identify and name more complex shapes like triangles and rectangles. They start to understand properties like the number of sides and corners, building a deeper understanding of shapes.
- Ages 4-5: At this stage, kids become proficient in recognizing, naming, and drawing various shapes. They also start to grasp concepts like symmetry and comparing different shapes, setting the stage for advanced learning.
Mastering basic shapes is more than just a fun activity—it is a powerful tool that supports our child's overall development. When we integrate shape learning into our child’s early education, we are giving them a solid foundation for future success. So, the next time you are playing or reading with your little one, make it a point to explore and talk about shapes. You are not just having fun—you’re unleashing their full potential!
Links
https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2024/12/e3sconf_ysssee2024_04007.pdf