Game card for parents · 0D-1 · Ages 4–6 · 10 min
Two Triangles
Cutting a square into two triangles and rebuilding new shapes shows your child that shapes can be taken apart and put back together.
You need
- a few square pieces of paper (or square napkins)
- scissors for the adult
How to play
- Fold a square corner to corner and cut along the fold.
- Give your child the two triangles.
- Ask them to put the square back together.
- Then try to make one big triangle, and then a slanted shape.
Guess first
Can these two pieces make a big triangle? Guess yes or no, then try it.
Three things to ask
- Is there more paper now, or the same?
- What did you have to do to that piece to make it fit?
- What else can you make with the two pieces?
Easier
Only rebuild the square.
Harder
Cut a square into 4 small triangles and see how many shapes you can make.
Watch for
Turning and flipping pieces until they fit is the point. Wrong tries are part of the game, so let your child fiddle before you help.
Safety
An adult does all the cutting and keeps the scissors out of reach. If your child wants to cut, use child safety scissors with an adult beside them.
boxi-math.github.io · CC BY 4.0 · Boxi Yu