![](https://familymath.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/image_Shapes_1-300x154.jpg)
What Is Shape Knowledge?
Shape knowledge involves understanding:
- The size and shape of objects.
- What objects look like from different angles.
- How an object looks if you change it in some way, such as turning it around or cutting it in half.
Why Is Learning About Shapes Important?
![](https://familymath.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/image_Shapes_2-300x165.jpg)
Shape knowledge helps us every day as we:
- Pack a bag or lunch box to fit everything we need.
- Cut a pie into equal pieces for the whole family.
- Imagine how to arrange furniture in a room.
What Do Children Need to Know About Shapes?
Children need to know:
- Shape names, like circle, triangle, and square, and what defines a shape.
- How to recognize different examples of a shape, as well as what shapes are not part of a category.
- Words for parts of shapes, like corner, side, angle, and edge.
- Words that describe shapes, like tall, curved, and narrow.
- What common shapes look like if rotated, cut in half, or put together with other shapes.