When we teach 2D shapes we explain that these shapes are flat. If we tried to stand them up they would fall over. 2D shapes have sides (the straight part of the shape) and corners (where the sides join together). In school we work on quickly recalling which shape is which by counting the sides and corners. We use sentence stems to describe the shapes (It is a .... I know it is a .... because.....). For example: It is a triangle. I know it is a triangle because it has 3 sides and 3 corners. 

Please use the activities and ideas below to support your child's understanding of 2D shapes.