Let’s continue building your preschooler’s shape recognition with a creative activity that also reinforces fine motor and scissor skills and shape recognition.

Getting started

You’ll need a few items likely around your home.

Materials:

  • Construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick

Create!

Note: Through mosaic art, children learn about shapes and how they fit together. They are introduced to patterns, and can practice their fine motor skills while using their imagination and decision making skills.

Step 1:  Start your mosaic art by assisting your child in cutting shapes out of the construction paper. You may use this shapes template for guidance.

Step 2: Next, cover the paper with a thin layer of glue using your glue stick.

Tip: If you don’t have a glue stick you can use watered down glue and a paintbrush.

Step 3: Then, model for your child how to fit the shapes together on the paper.

Step 4: Encourage your child to use their imagination to create a picture.

Tip: Remind your child that their art doesn’t need to look a certain way. It’s their art and their creativity will make it look the way it should!

Step 5: Just have fun!

Step 6: Finally, share your art. Encourage your child to tell you about the art. Maybe there’s a story to it!

Continue the learning

Reinforce what your child has learned about shapes just by looking around and talking about the shapes they see throughout the day.

Additional resources:

Mosaics Skill Builder Board

Everyday Shapes (tips for teaching shapes from NAEYC)

Salt Dough Mosaic Tile Recipe from Clicks and Bits blog

About this activity

This mosaic shape art activity was created by Gallery Educator, Noelle Mendoza. As a Gallery Educator Noelle helps provide a positive and inviting experience for visitors and helps plan and facilitate educational programs and guided tours that enhance learning in an informal setting.

Her background is in education and her passion is in the arts. “I love that working at the i.d.e.a. Museum allows me to combine two things that I love while serving the community and making a positive impact on student learning through the arts.”