Solid shapes — Mathematics, 4–6 years
Some shapes are objects you can hold, roll, stack, or slide. Mathematics, 4–6 years.
Shapes you can hold
A solid shape takes up space and can be held. A ball is round all over and can roll; a box has flat faces and can stack; a cone has a point and a round base. These are shapes of objects, not just drawings on paper.
Why notice solid shapes?
People need to choose objects that behave in a particular way. A box is useful for stacking and packing, while a ball is useful for rolling and throwing. Noticing faces, round parts, and points helps us predict what an object may do before we try it.
Which one can roll?
Look at a cube, a cylinder, and a ball. Try the cube first: its flat face stays still. Try the cylinder: its curved side rolls in one direction, but its flat ends stop it. Try the ball: its curved surface lets it roll in many directions.
A picture is not the object
A child may call a drawn square a cube, because a cube can look square from one side. That is a reasonable mistake: the picture shows only part of the solid. Turn a real cube around and look for its other faces; a square has only one flat surface in the drawing.
Shapes in everyday things
Solid shapes help explain everyday objects. Cans are often cylinders, so they can roll and stand on their ends; parcels are boxes, so they can fit in rows. Builders, designers, and people packing a bag use these features when choosing or arranging objects.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…