Geometry Games for Kids

Overview of Geometry

Geometry is a science of shapes and space. It is considered as an important field of mathematics as it offers its learner a deeper understanding of the world around them. Examples of geometric shapes can be found in nature as well as in most areas of man-made creativity.

The study of Geometry and Spatial Sense develops such concepts and skills that play an important role in other areas.
 
For example, the field of architecture requires an in-depth understanding of geometric shapes and their attributes. Geometrical understanding has also proved important in other domains of mathematics. For instance, understanding area and volume involve manipulation of geometric shapes. Also, understanding multiplication and division using array require an understanding of geometric shapes and figures.

The kids are introduced to geometry math during early school years. The geometry common core math standards involve an introduction to geometry in prekindergarten. Discovering geometry helps children develop deductive problem-solving skills.  

Many researches have shown that children learn better through online educational games. In recent times, math geometry games have become popular. One of the most important reasons to introduce learning games in Mathematical teachings is the excitement and enthusiasm it brings to the kids. Math games enable children to experience success and satisfaction and thereby, develop confidence in their newly-acquired skills. Mathematical field of geometry requires visualization for better understanding.

Progression of Geometry with Grades

Kindergarten: In kindergarten, children learn to identify and describe two- and three-dimensional shapes. They are able to identify the geometric shapes and names regardless of their orientation. They analyze and compare shapes of different sizes and attributes. They also learn to compose simple shapes to form larger shapes.

Grade 1: In this grade, children develop skills to reason with shapes and the attributes. They understand basic geometric shapes definition. They analyze shapes from their defining attributes, like number of sides. They compose two dimensional and three-dimensional shapes to make larger composite shapes. They learn to partition rectangles and circle into equal shares. They learn the vocabulary related to partitionings like quarters, fourths and halves.

Grade 2: The kids learn to identify and draw shapes according to the given attributes. They learn to draw shapes as per the specified number of faces or geometry angles. They are able to identify cubes, pentagons, hexagons, quadrilateral, and triangles. They also learn to partition a rectangle into same-size squares. They then count these squares to determine the size of the rectangle. The kids learn to partition rectangles and circles into two to four equal shares. They describe the partitioned shapes using the words like half of, third of, thirds, halves. They understand the wholes as four fourths, three-thirds, and two halves.

Grade 3: The kids understand the relationship between shapes according to their attributes. They learn about the larger category shapes with shared attributes. For example, the shapes with four sides are called quadrilaterals. They partition shapes into equal parts. They learn to express the area of each part as a unit fraction of the whole. For example, they partition a shape into three equal parts and describe the area of each part as 1/3 of the area of the whole. They also learn to find area and perimeter of a rectangle and other polygons.

Grade 4: The kids learn about points, line segments, geometric lines, rays and types of angles. The kids identify these in two-dimensional figures. They also learn about parallel and perpendicular lines. They classify the figures on the basis of the parallel or perpendicular lines. They also classify the figures according to the angles of specified size. Also, they learn about the different triangles in geometry. The kids also learn about lines of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure. They draw lines of symmetry and identify line-symmetric figures.

Grade 5: The kids are introduced to coordinate geometry. They learn to graph points on a coordinate system consisting of perpendicular number lines called axes. They represent mathematical problems by graphing points on the geometry plane. They also learn to classify simple geometry figures into categories and sub-categories on the basis of the geometric properties. For example, all squares and rectangles are quadrilaterals. All squares are rectangles. They learn to classify two-dimensional shapes in a hierarchy. 

Learning Geometry through Manipulatives

The geometric concepts can be learned in several ways. The geometric learning can be done through manipulatives, concrete objects, illustrations, and diagrams. For effective understanding, the kids should have the opportunity to manipulate solid models. Geometric learning should not merely be based on pictures and diagrams. The learning should encourage kids to represent their own mathematical ideas. This can be done using pictures and concrete models.

The geometric concepts can be learned in several ways. The geometric learning can be done through manipulatives, concrete objects, illustrations, and diagrams. For effective understanding, the kids should have the opportunity to manipulate solid models. Geometric learning should not merely be based on pictures and diagrams. The learning should encourage kids to represent their own mathematical ideas. This can be done using pictures and concrete models.

Geometric Solids:

This is an effective manipulative that can be used for teaching kids from prekindergarten to grade 2. The kids find it easier to learn 2D shapes than 3D geometric shapes. One reason for this is that names of 3D shapes are used less often in day to day routine. Another reason is that in most classroom teachings the 3D geometric shapes are taught through drawings. Unfortunately, many kids cannot understand these 3D drawings. A drawing of a sphere looks like a circle. This makes it difficult to understand the difference between a sphere and a circle. Therefore, to teach geometric shapes 3D to the kids, geometric solids are great.

The kids can touch, hold and manipulate these objects. It gives them a clearer understanding of the attributes of the 3D geometric shapes.

Tangrams:

Tangrams can be used to teach kids about spatial relationships. It is apt for kids from grade 1 to grade 4. It is a Chinese puzzle consisting of 7 tans or shapes. The kids have to arrange these shapes to recreate a given shape. The rule of the puzzle requires all the shapes to be used without overlapping. Playing with tangrams help kids improve their spatial understanding. They also learn about spatial rotation skills and vocabulary associated with it. The kids also learn to calculate areas without learning the formulas.

Learn Geometry through Geometry Games

Some interesting geometry games are given below:

Search and Show – For grade 3 and above

Game Plot

This game requires 4 or more players and is usually played with an even number of players. The game is played in teams with each team having at least 2 players each. Before the start of the game, a bowl is filled with paper chits, which have different shapes written on them. Each team goes in turns. One player from the team will pick a chit at random. He/She will read the shape written on it without speaking it aloud. Then he or she will describe the properties of the shape to his/her team member. The team members will have to guess the name of the shape. E.g. – If the shape written on the chit is square, then the player can say that the shape has 4 sides and all sides are equal.

The team which is able to guess the shape in the least amount of time wins the game. This game particularly helps the kids remember the different characteristics of each shape. And also gain confidence in terms of communicating the knowledge gained by them as part of learning geometry.  

Classifying Quadrilaterals  - For grade 3 and above

Game Plot

This requires 2 or more players. Each player, in turns, needs to push the wheel for rotation. When the wheel stops the arrow will point to one of the three sections on the wheel. There is a geometrical attribute mentioned on each section. The player will need to mention all the 2D geometry shapes names they can relate with that attribute. E.g. If the wheel stops at “Only one pair of parallel sides” he/she can list trapezoid as the correct shape. This game guides the children to relate the properties with each of the shapes and also helps them visualize these properties.