What do you do with geometric solids?

[melbotoast]

I'm going to order the RightStart A starter kit and just add the extra items that I want from the deluxe package. I think the geometric solids are only used in one lesson, so I don't know if it's worth it to buy them or not. What else can I do with them?

[Rbsmrter]

We use Montessori geometric solids, and while we don't use them regularly I'm glad I purchased them. They've really helped my daughter understand the difference between 2D and 3D shapes. A book can do a good job of shading an on object and making it seem three dimensional, but it just isn't the same as holding it in your hands. When my daughter had some confusion about cubes and rectangular prisms I printed off pictures of real life objects with those shapes (present, cereal boxe, ottoman etc) and had her sort the pictures according to shape. Having the solids there to help her sort made a huge difference. I've also allowed my younger son to build with them, giving him a chance to become familiar with the shapes long before they are formally introduced. With that said, I think you can easily buy the cheaper foam shapes from a teaching supply store and get the same results. We just prefered the feel of the wood shapes and I knew I'd be using them for a few kids, so it was worth it.

[Jay3fer]

We play an "I spy" game which isn't really I spy, but I put identical solids into fabric bags and pull them out one by one. The kids have to pull out the matching shape and (for dd6 only), identify them by name.

 

We don't use them often, but they were inexpensive at Rainbow and a nice add-on to our math "box of tricks."

 

I would recommend getting two sets, if you can, for matching. I made sure they were both identical in colour as well, because (with a set we had before) it was hard for my 3yo to get the concept of "the same shape" when the shapes were different colours.