Build shapes
Building a shape with their own hands shows your child what it is made of, in a way a picture cannot. Knowing that a triangle needs three sides that meet leads to describing shapes by their sides and corners in kindergarten, drawing shapes with given features in 2nd grade, and measuring the distance around a shape, called the perimeter, in 3rd grade. It also builds the hands-on sense of space used in puzzles and building.
In this video, your child will learn to build shapes with sticks and clay balls.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
How many sticks make a triangle?
Example 2
What shape did we build?
Your child's turn
How many sticks make a rectangle?
The two key steps
- 1Use one stick for each side.
- 2Put a clay ball at each corner.
Mistakes to listen for
- Leaving a gap between the sticks so the triangle does not close, and still calling it a triangle.
- Using sticks of very different lengths for a square, without noticing it looks more like a rectangle.
- Building a shape correctly but not being able to say how many sides it has.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to building shapes from parts, like sticks and clay →
Is your child ready to practice what they've learned?
Bobby's Math Club offers unlimited practice for free.
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More Pre-K Geometry, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice building shapes from parts, like sticks and clay, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to building shapes from parts, like sticks and clay has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
Practice building shapes from parts, like sticks and clay
Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on building shapes from parts, like sticks and clay and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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