In class, we joined dots to form squares, triangles, rectangles… polygons. What are the interesting things about these shapes? We learnt that if a shape appearance is changed, it is called transformation and it can be done in many ways including :
- Translation
- Translation
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| Translation -Move up or down, side to side but do not change its appearance |
- Rotation
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| Rotation – figure rotated about a point |
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- Reflection
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| Reflection – figure reflected over a line |
In preschool, children manipulate with a variety of both 2 and 3-D shapes. They do sorting and classifying, trying to see how shapes are alike and different. They build, put the shapes together, take them apart and even draw the shapes. In the process of manipulating with shapes, children are developing an understanding of geometric properties.
The Van Hieles theory of geometric thought features the 5-level hierarchy of ways of understanding spatial ideas:
0. Visualization – groupings of shapes that seem to be “alike”
1. Analysis- classes of shapes rather than individual shapes
2. Informal deduction – the properties of shapes
3. Deduction – relationships among properties of geometric objects
4. Rigor – deductive axiomatic systems for geometry
To help children to grow and develop the ability to think and reason in geometric contexts, teachers have to provide many opportunities and rich experiences for children to build up an understanding of the systems of relationships between geometric ideas.
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