Looking for an engaging, hands-on way to teach 2D shapes? These Loose Parts Shape Mats are perfect for early childhood educators wanting to bring a play-based approach into their classroom math activities.

Encourage creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor development - all while covering those essential geometry concepts with these Reggio-inspired, nature-themed mats.

Engaging and Educational

With 25 stunning, real-life nature photo mats, your students will be immersed in their hands-on learning. They will be able to identify and construct numerous 2D shapes using everyday loose parts like stones, counters, or even play dough.

Designed to inspire exploration, these mats help children create, recognise, and describe both familiar and uncommon 2D shapes in a playful, inquiry-driven way.

Why You’ll Love These Loose Parts Shape Mats:

• Play-Based and Hands-On: Encourage tactile, multi-sensory exploration as students explore with loose parts to build and learn about 2D shapes.

• Low-Prep, Easy to Use: Simply print, grab some loose parts, and you're ready to go! These mats make it easy to teach essential 2D shape concepts without hours of preparation.

• Aligned with Curriculum: Fully linked to the Australian Curriculum (ACARA) to help you meet key content descriptors while at the same time making learning fun and meaningful.

ACARA Content Descriptors Taught with These Math Shape Mats:

• AC9MFSPO1: Sort, name, and create familiar shapes; recognise and describe familiar shapes within objects in the environment.

• AC9M1SP01: Make, compare, and classify shapes, identifying similarities and differences.

What’s Included in This 2D Shape Maths Resource :

• 25 labelled shape mats featuring the following 2D shapes: rectangles, square, triangles, circle, oval/ellipse, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, decagon, dodecagon, trapezoid, parallelogram, diamond/rhombus, heart, star, crescent, and arrow.

• List of 60 loose parts ideas: Stones, counters, play dough, and more!

• 2 learning prompts to stimulate rich mathematical discussions and hands-on learning.

• A Printable Information Poster listing all the skills and knowledge supported by these Loose PartsPlay Mats.

• 16 Shape Challenge Task Cards to extend the learning and get your students really thinking.

• 4 Student Recording Sheets to encourage documentation and a way for you to collect evidence of learning.

• 2 styles of teacher observation checklists so you can easily document all that learning during loose parts play.

• Instructions for tile printing to customise the print size for your classroom needs.

• A document wallet label to print and help you keep all these resources organised.

Use These 2D Shape Printables Over and Over

These Loose Parts Shape Mats are ideal for:

• small group math rotations

• independent work

• early finishers

• soft start stations or morning tubs

• busy bags

• play based math centres or investigation areas

How to Use These Loose Parts Shape Mats:

• Small Group Rotations: Set up a play-based activity using these mats during math rotations to keep students engaged while reinforcing key shape concepts.

• Independent Work: Let students explore shapes at their own pace, using the mats and loose parts to create, compare, and classify different shapes.

• Early Finishers: Keep fast finishers focused and challenged with shape-building tasks that encourage creativity and deeper thinking.

• Math Centres or Busy Bags: These mats are perfect for math centres or as a take-home activity in busy bags, ensuring continuous learning in a hands-on way.

Loose parts play opens the door to a whole new level of engagement in the classroom. When students are having fun, they’re learning more deeply.

These Loose Parts Shape Mats encourage children to explore 2D shapes in a hands-on, play-based environment that fosters creativity, fine motor development, and problem-solving.

Print, grab your loose parts, and get ready for a classroom full of engaged, curious learners!

SAVE MONEY and COVER MORE LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Grab the BUNDLE of 100 Loose Parts Play Mats HERE!