Shapes are perfect for younger children: they can see, draw and find them everywhere.
Eight shapes
| Arabic | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| دَائِرَة | da’irah | circle |
| مُرَبَّع | murabba‘ | square |
| مُثَلَّث | muthallath | triangle |
| مُسْتَطِيل | mustatil | rectangle |
| نَجْمَة | najmah | star |
| قَلْب | qalb | heart |
| هِلَال | hilal | crescent |
| مُكَعَّب | muka‘‘ab | cube |
Word roots children love
- مُرَبَّع (square) comes from أَرْبَعَة (four): four sides.
- مُثَلَّث (triangle) comes from ثَلَاثَة (three).
- مُكَعَّب (cube) shares its root with الْكَعْبَة.
Shape hunt
Give your child a list in Arabic. They find one of each around the house: a plate (دَائِرَة), a book (مُسْتَطِيل), a dice (مُكَعَّب).
Add colours and sizes
دَائِرَة حَمْرَاء كَبِيرَة: a big red circle. See colours in Arabic.
Teacher’s tip: look at Islamic geometric patterns together and name the shapes. Children are amazed that circles, stars and squares make such beautiful designs.
