In geometry, a shape can be defined as a form characterized by its number of sides, the size of its angles, and dimensions. Children will learn to recognize 2D and 3D shapes and study their properties.
List of Geometric Shapes and their Properties
Let’s look at some examples of shapes for kids in math, which children will learn about. Depending on the properties, they’ll identify the shapes in math as:
- a 2D or a 3D shape;
- a regular or irregular shape.
Examples of 2D Shapes in Math
Here are some 2-dimensional shapes for kids. These shapes are taught in schools, and their properties are also included in the table below.
Examples of 3D Shapes in Math
- Sphere – no edges, no vertices, perfectly round
- Cube – 12 edges, 8 vertices, 6 square faces
- Cuboid – 12 edges (not all the same length), 8 vertices, 6 rectangular faces
- Triangular prism – 9 edges, 6 vertices, 5 faces (2 triangular and 3 rectangular)
- Cylinder – 2 curved edges, no vertices, 2 flat and circular faces
- Cone – 1 edge, 1 curved surface, 1 flat face (a circle)
Examples of Regular and Irregular Shapes
Shapes in math can also be categorized depending on whether they’re regular or irregular.
Regular shapes have angles that are all the same size and sides that are all the same length. Examples of common shapes include:
- equilateral triangles;
- squares;
- regular pentagons;
- regular hexagons;
- regular octagons;
- regular octagons.
On the other hand, the angles and sides of irregular shapes aren’t all the same. Some examples are:
- isosceles triangles;
- right-angled triangles;
- scalene triangles;
- irregular quadrilateral;
- irregular pentagons;
- irregular hexagons;
- and more.
Shapes in Math – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic shapes my child will learn about?
In math lessons, children will learn the properties of a wide selection of shapes. But here are 16 shapes for kids that are stumbled upon most often:
- isosceles triangle
- equilateral triangle
- scalene triangle
- right-angled triangle
- square
- rectangle
- pentagon
- hexagon
- heptagon
- quadrilateral
- circle
- cuboid
- cube
- pyramid
- cone
- cylinder
Is a triangle a regular or an irregular shape?
A triangle can be regular or irregular, depending on its properties. For example, an equilateral triangle is standard, while isosceles and scalene triangles are irregular.
Why is learning about shapes in math essential?
Learning about shapes in math lessons helps develop children’s problem-solving skills and improves their ability to organize visual information.
Also, they’ll practice their logical thinking and learn how to apply what they know about specific shapes to conclude.
