"The left and right sides look the same."
"It's like looking in a mirror!"
Have you ever had such a discovery?
In elementary school, children learn about "line symmetry" and "point symmetry," but the foundational understanding for this can be nurtured through play in early childhood.
With building blocks, children can experience the concepts of **"left and right being the same"** and **"looking the same even when flipped"** while actually arranging the blocks.
This time, we will introduce block play activities to foster a sense of "symmetry" for different age groups.
What is the concept of symmetry?
"Symmetry" means that the left and right, or top and bottom, have the same shape relative to a certain line or point.
In elementary school, students learn about
- Line symmetry
- Point symmetry
- the left and right being the same,
- the same shape on both sides of the middle,
- and shapes that look like they're reflected in a mirror,
However, there's no need for preschoolers to memorize the names.
First, it's important to develop a sense of
through play.
Building blocks can be freely arranged and reconfigured, allowing children to visually confirm and learn the principles of symmetry.
【0-1 years old】Find the same shapes
At this age, there's no need to teach the word "symmetry."
Enjoy the experience of noticing things that are the same.
＜Recommended Activities＞
Arrange the same blocks
Place two blocks of the same shape next to each other.
"They're the same shape."
"They look like friends."
Play while talking to them.
Try arranging them left and right
Place one block on the left and one on the right.
"There's one on the right."
"There's one on the left."
This is the first step in recognizing left and right. It's okay if they don't remember which is which.
【2-3 years old】Try making symmetrical shapes
This is the age when their ability to compare develops.
＜Recommended Activities＞
Copycat game
The parent arranges blocks on the right side.
The child arranges them in the same way on the left side.
"They're the same!"
Celebrate together.
Make a butterfly
The shape of a butterfly is a clear example of bilateral symmetry for children.
Place blocks in the middle to form the body,
then create wings on both sides.
"The left and right sides match!"
Engage in play while talking to them.
【4-5 years old】Experience line symmetry
From here on, the activities connect to elementary school geometry.
＜Recommended Activities＞
Draw a line in the middle
Draw a line on paper. (Parents can also place tape or string in the middle!)
Using that line as a boundary,
arrange blocks so that the left and right sides are the same shape.
"It's like looking in a mirror!"
Enjoy this feeling.
Make half and complete the rest
The parent arranges blocks on one side of the line.
The child completes the opposite side.
Once completed,
"Are the left and right sides the same?"
Let's check.
What's different?
Intentionally place one block in a different spot.
"What's different?"
This is a seeking game.
It also develops observation skills.
Tip! Symmetry is a mirror world!
When you place blocks in front of a mirror, blocks also appear in the mirror.
The blocks reflected in the mirror correspond to the real ones on the left and right.
While moving the blocks,
"How does it look in the mirror?"
"Are the left and right sides the same?"
Let's check.
Through play, children can experience the concept of line symmetry, where the left and right correspond when reflected in a mirror.
【5-6 years old】Challenge symmetry!
Recommended for around kindergarten entry.
＜Recommended Activities＞
Symmetry puzzle
Create any shape with building blocks.
Next, try to create a symmetrically opposite shape on the other side.
Pattern creation game
Combine cubes and triangular prisms to create patterns. (Planar formations are recommended)
"Will the left and right be the same?"
"Will the top and bottom be the same?"
Play while being creative.
They might even discover point symmetry. (It's perfectly fine if they don't notice it at this stage.)
Create your own original mark
Try creating an original mark or creature that is symmetrical.
Once completed,
"Will it overlap if I fold it in the middle?"
Let's consider that.
It also nurtures imagination and creativity.
Block play is a warm-up for "symmetry"
Through building block play,
✔ Become aware of left and right
✔ Create the same shape
✔ Arrange like a mirror image
✔ Observe
✔ Notice characteristics of shapes
You can develop various skills that lead to elementary school math, such as logical thinking.
By actually arranging and checking the blocks, children naturally develop a sense of "Oh, this is what symmetry is!"
Summary
Symmetry is an important geometry unit taught in elementary school as "line symmetry" and "point symmetry."
In early childhood, rather than memorizing names,
"The left and right are the same!"
"It's like a mirror!"
Enjoying these discoveries nurtures interest in shapes and observational skills.
Tsumiki-zu's building blocks allow children to freely combine cubes, cuboids, triangular prisms, and other shapes to create various symmetrical forms.
"If we arrange them like this, the left and right will be the same!"
"Can different shapes also be symmetrical?"
By playing with trial and error as parent and child, children develop their ability to perceive shapes and their logical thinking skills.
Please enjoy "symmetry play" with building blocks as a family.