The following activities will help children to be able to identify objects/shapes that are symmetrical and to copy patterns to achieve symmetry.
What is symmetry?
An object that has symmetry can be divided into identical pieces. An object that has reflectional symmetry is like a mirror image. At this stage it is not important that the children know the word reflectional symmetry. They must understand the concept of symmetry. One example of mirror image symmetry is a butterfly. When a butterfly folds its wings, it is easy to see that the wings are the same on both sides.
Activity 1:
For this activity you need: a piece of paper, some paint, and a brush.
This simple artwork will help children understand symmetry easily.
- Fold a piece of paper in half.
- Give your child some paint and a brush.
- Ask him/her to paint something s/he likes on one side of the paper only. (As indicated in the picture)
- Before the paint dries, fold the paper in half and press.
- Open the paper to reveal the print. Point out to your child that what s/he painted on one side of the fold is now visible on the other side of the fold.
You can follow this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=042uDqg2k3g to complete the above activity.
Activity 2:
For this activity you need: a print-out of the butterfly and some coloured pompoms of the same size.
Explain to your child that to achieve symmetry s/he needs to copy the pattern exactly as it is.
- Print the butterfly to show your child how symmetry can be achieved. click here for printout: butterfly print-out
- Take the pompoms. Make sure you have 2 pompoms of each colour.
- Place one or two pompoms on one side of the butterfly. Ask your child to copy the pattern on the other side. (As indicated in the pictures).
- Increase the number of pompoms gradually.
Following is an online game. In this game your child must complete a picture by finding the other symmetrical half.
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/symmetry/symmetry-matching
Ms Maria
K1.5
St Ignatius College, Patri Ġużè Delia, Siġġiewi Primary 