Symmetry
Symmetry can be a tough concept to teach to small children because there are only so many words you can use to explain it. How many ways can you say, “middle”, “half”, or “same on both side”? This is especially true given that many young children don’t fully grasp the ideas of “middle” and “half”. Here is an activity that can help you to introduce the concept in a way that is more visual than verbal.
Read Eric Carle’s book Little Cloud to your child. Then, use a piece of blue construction paper and white poster paint to conduct the following experiment with your child.
Have your child help you fold the paper in half. Be sure to use the terms “middle” and “half” so that your child can see them as you are explaining them. Next, open the paper again, and have your child place a few globs of paint in the middle of the paper directly on the crease. Re-fold the paper and let your child squish the globs of paint with her hands. When she is finished, tell her to open up the paper and describe what she sees. It’s her own “Little Cloud”.
In addition to having her describe the shapes she sees in her cloud, ask her about its symmetry. Where is the middle? Is her cloud the same on both sides? Try to actually use the word “symmetry” in your discussion. Let her to repeat the activity as many times as her interest allows.
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Written by BRWI Staff on November 15, 2010
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