Name
Date
Shape Memory Game
Turn over two cards. Look for a match.
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Circle
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Star
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Square
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Heart
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Triangle
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Square
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Circle
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Triangle
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Heart
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Star
Notes for adults
Find five pairs of colorful shapes and name them in a memory game for 3-year-olds.
Learning objectives
- Find two cards with the same shape.
- Point to or name shapes during play.
- Wait for a turn with adult support.
What you need
- Game sheet printed in color
- Scissors for adult use
- Opaque paper and glue if the pictures show through the backs
Safety notes
An adult should cut out the cards and keep the scissors out of the child's reach. Supervise play and put the cards away if the child puts them in their mouth.
How to do it
- Cut out the ten cards for your child. If needed, glue the same opaque paper to the back of each card.
- Show the cards and name each shape.
- Start with three pairs. Shuffle them and place them face down.
- Turn over two cards to show how to look for a pair. If they are different, turn them face down again.
- Invite your child to turn over two cards and keep them if the shapes match.
- Take turns and add the other pairs when your child is ready.
- At the end, look at the pairs together and name the shapes.
Teaching suggestions
- Say, “You found two stars!” Celebrate your child's attention and effort.
- If remembering is difficult, leave the cards face up so your child can look for pairs.
- It's fine for your child to point to or describe a shape without naming it.
- Look for similar shapes in everyday objects, such as a square window.
- In a group, keep only a few cards on the table and help each child wait for a turn.
Variations
- Easier: Use just two pairs and leave the cards face up.
- Harder: Use all five pairs face down and invite your child to name each shape when they find a pair.
- Extend the play: Choose a card and look together for a similar shape nearby.
Talk about it
- What do you notice about this shape?
- How did you know the two cards matched?
- Where have you seen a shape like this?
- Which shape would you like to look for now?
What to look for
- Notice whether your child finds two cards with the same shape, with or without help.
- Notice whether your child points to or names a shape when invited.
- Observe how your child takes turns with support.