Maths is all about numbers, right? But ever wondered why geometry was introduced in this subject? Long ago, when humans started living systematically, many things of different shapes and sizes were invented. Roads, buildings, vehicles, the wheel of the vehicles, everything was made in a certain shape. Even today, geometries are seen in every form, i.e., geometry is omnipresent.
Our planet, the moon and the sun is a sphere. The paper we write in is rectangular, the ball we play with is a sphere, the room we live in is cubical. Everything has its shape and measurements. These all are a form of art.
What is Geometry for Kids?
Did you know the word Geometry was derived from the Greek word Geometron? Here, ‘geo’ means earth, while ‘metron’ means measurement. In ancient times, it became important to make an object using the correct shape with accurate measurements, and geometry helped them deal with it. Comparing things became easy, and this allowed humans to create different shapes which were never known before.
There were some basics of geometry that helped humans to design more complex and beautiful structures.
Here are some basics of geometry for kids explained in the easiest way:
Also Read: Math Game For Kids: Develop Maths Skills with a Mix of Fun and Entertainment
Points
Points are the basics of geometry for kids. Paul Dirac, a theoretical physicist, presented it as an important part of mathematics. With points, you can create any type of geometrical structure. It is the beginning part of forming a new figure. It is represented by a dot or a full stop. It has no size, meaning no length, breadth or height. It is a zero-dimensional object of mathematics. If you want to show an exact position, just mark it with a point.
There are lots of books for kids where a figure can be made by connecting dots. This is a very fun way to introduce your kids to the basics of geometry.
Line
A line is a never-ending geometry, which is why two arrows are drawn at both ends of the line. The arrows show that it goes on continuously. The line is one-dimensional.
The line shows any straight object having length, but no width and depth. Look around your surroundings and ask your kids to bring straight objects. Involving them in such activities could increase your child’s curiosity.
Line Segment
A line segment is a small part of a line. It can be made by connecting two dots held some distance apart, but the length of the distance should be the shortest. A line segment can be 2 cm, 7 cm or any finite measurement. You can draw it with the help of a scale and enclose it with two points. The two points represent the endpoints of the line segment.
Rays
Rays are also a part of the line, but it has only one endpoint. The other side of the ray is infinite. To show the endpoint, a dot is used and to show the never-ending side, an arrow is used.
Rays are used in showing angles. A straight ray represents 180 degrees. Other than that, 90 degrees, 45 degrees, 120 degrees or any other angular measurements are shown using two rays.
Polygons
Polygons can be made by connecting more than two line segments. A triangle is formed using three lines, whereas four lines form squares and rectangles. The shapes made are closed, and you can use many lines to form a polygon. These are two-dimensional.
Give your kid some pens to make different polygons of different sizes and ask them what the shape would be called.
Curved shape
Curved shapes are bent lines. The most common example is a circle. A circle is a closed figure having no line. The distance from the centre to every point of its outline is the same. This distance is called the radius. The distance from one end to the other end of the circle’s outline passing through the centre is called the diameter. The diameter helps determine the circle’s size.
Curved shapes are two-dimensional.Circles can be made using a compass or by tracing a circular object. Some other examples of curved geometry are semi-circle, quadrant and oval.
You can play a fun game with your kids. Ask them to collect some round objects and draw them on paper. Then, by using a scale, find the diameter. Make sure that you are involved with your kids too.
Solid Shapes
Solid shapes are a connection of polygons. These are three-dimensional. For example, by connecting three triangles in a plane, a pyramid can be made. By using six squares, a cube is formed and by using six rectangles, a cuboid is formed.
Some solid shapes are also curved. For example, sphere, cylinder, cone etc. These can be hollow or filled from the inside.
All the things present around us are solid. The room we live in, the pen we use, everything. Some of them don’t have names for their shape.
To make your kids familiar with solid figures, start with showing simple objects.
Why is Geometry for Kids Important?
Making kids familiar with the different shapes and sizes helps build their knowledge of the dimensional arrangement, problem-solving skills, reading comprehension and mathematical learning. Geometry is not just used in mathematics. It is present in real life too. Many professions involve geometric imaging and interpretation.
10 Books of Geometry for kids
#1 6th class mathematics NCERT book
#2 7th class mathematics NCERT book
#3 8th class mathematics NCERT book
#4 Shape Up! by David Adler and Nancy Tobin
#5 Triangles book by David Adler
#6 Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes book by Stuart J. Murphy
#7 Mummy Math: An Adventure In Geometry book by Cindy Neuschwander
#8 Summer Bridge Activities book by Carson Dellosa
#9 When a Line Bends a Shape Begins book by Rhoda Gowler Greene
#10 Cubes, Cones, Cylinders, and Spheres book by Tana Hoban
Conclusion
This article aimed to guide parents to help their kids learn geometry. Introduce your kids to geometry with their basics and some games mentioned in the article. For more effective learning, you can check the Real School Of Montessori. We have one-stop solutions for all of the problems your kids face. We have a unique teaching methodology, easy-going environment, rewarding games and expert mentors for your kids. The videos are animated with high visualisations, which will help kids enhance their imagination.
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Also Read: How to Explain Coding to a Child? Coding As An Escape – An Important Universal Language to Learn
