Different shapes for kids


Teaching Basic Shapes to Kids In an Interesting Way

 

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why is teaching shapes so important?
3. What are the different types of shapes for kids?
4. How to teach kids with the help of games and activities
5. Conclusion
6. About Cuemath
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
8. External References

 

Introduction

Kids have dynamic learning capabilities that are enhanced by their observation skills. However, parents need to take tiny steps while teaching preschool kids. Basic shapes and colors impact children. They try to understand their surroundings by looking at the different objects around them. All kinds of objects and structures help kids in learning shapes. As a parent one should introduce different shapes for kids at an early age. There are various shapes activities for kindergarten that can help kids learn and understand basic shapes.

 


Shapes for Kids

Here is a downloadable PDF that lists out various shapes for kids. Teaching basic shapes for kids helps them understand their own observations. Different types of shapes for kids. Click on the download button to explore them. 

 


Why is teaching shapes important?

Basic shapes for kids are being taught at every preschool today. It is important to understand the necessity of shaping activities for kindergarten kids. Few ways in which kids are impacted by basic shapes are:

  1. Visual Information
  2. Sign and symbols
  3. Alphabets and numbers
  4. Mathematical concepts
  5. Categorization and comparison 
  6. Problem-solving
  7. Symmetry

 

  1. Kids Learn how to organize visual information

Children observe their surroundings very keenly and encounter different shapes every single day. Teaching basic shapes for kids helps them understand their own observations. The visual information they gather comprises compound shapes that are formed by a combination of basic shapes. Shapes’ names for kids enable them to identify the basic shapes in compound shapes. For instance, when a child looks at a car it appears to be a rectangular box. However, children will learn to identify the compound shapes in a car once they learn basic shapes. 

 

  1. Helps to teach signs and symbols

Symbols are very important for kids. But it will take some time for kids to get used to it. Kids take some time before they can actually name the shapes they see. However, this does not indicate that the kid is unable to comprehend basic shapes. Signs on the other hand impart certain information and details. Basic shapes for kids help them store information in their minds. Kids are usually 5 to 6 years old when they start following signs and symbols

.

 

  1. Help kids identify different alphabets and numbers

Toddlers may get confused among all the alphabets they see. As parents, it can be challenging to teach various letters and numbers. Kids tend to mix up similar-shaped letters like “b” and “d”. Patience is important while correcting these mistakes. Learning shapes for kids help them differentiate among the letters. Therefore all the preschools cover learning shapes for kids before moving into Alphabets and numbers.

 

  1. Basic mathematical concepts can be taught

Once a child is comfortable identifying shapes for his /her own, they can start learning simple mathematical operations like addition and subtraction. It is always easier to teach addition than subtraction. Therefore we advise parents to start teaching addition and then venture into subtraction. Basic shapes for kids include balls, matchboxes, dice, etc. So you can pick the object of your choice and start teaching simple maths to your kids.

 

  1. Categorization and comparison

Facial recognition and navigation skills are swiftly developed among kids who can categorize and compare various shapes. As kids learn to differentiate shapes, they understand facial features and their differences. It is also important to note that different shapes for kids imply different geographical locations or features. Have you noticed, in kids’ drawing- mountains and hills are always triangles and houses have a square or rectangle structure with a triangular roof? We do suggest you take a look and understand how kids observe and compare the shapes around them.

 

  1. Problem-solving

Brain development and thinking skills are really important for a kid in preschool or kindergarten. Shapes and colors are directly responsible for brain development. Kids analyze structures and start with 2-D mental mapping and then gradually, as the year progresses, they start 3-D mapping. These mental mapping of shapes plays a crucial role in the development of problem-solving abilities in children.

 

  1. Symmetry

Kids love to play around the parks or fields. This is important for the development of their motor skills. However, kids tend to lose their balance more often than adults. Growing up, we all had cuts and bruises on our knees Over the years these injuries started disappearing even when sports activities became more rigorous. This happens when kids are unable to understand the basic concept of balance and center of gravity. Now even though terms like the center of gravity feel fancy for kids, it is important to teach symmetry with the help of basic shapes for kids. This will help them understand how to position themselves and develop motor skills. 

 


What are the different types of shapes for kids?

Different shapes for kids are available ranging from basic shapes to compound shapes. Basic shapes are simple shapes that can not be broken down into simpler shapes by general conventions, examples include square, circle, triangle, etc. Compound shapes can be split into simpler shapes, examples include Arrows, Starts, etc. Let us go through a few shapes to understand better. 

Shape

Image

Number of Sides

Example:

Triangle

3 Sides

Mountains and Hills are Triangle in shape

Square

4 Sides

Small houses or huts are square in shape

Rectangle

4 Sides 

Cars and buses are rectangle in shape

Circle

No Sides

Wheels and Balls are circle in shape

Arrow

7 Sides

Signs boards have an arrow shape

Star

10 Sides

Starfish and star anise are star-shaped

Diamond

4 Sides

Kites and crystals have diamond shape

Heart

No Sides

Strawberries are heart-shaped.

 

  1. Basic Shapes for kids

Shapes like squares, triangles, circles, and rectangles are taught first to kids. Once a child learns how to categorize and name these shapes, they are taught more complex shapes. However, it suggested that ample time is spent on basic shapes for kids. This is because all the shapes are taught at a later stage depending upon the concepts developed during learning basic shapes for kids. It may require a little while for kids to pick up the concept but we suggest parents be patient.

 

  1. Advanced Shapes for kids

Once a child is familiar with basic shapes he/she is ready to learn advanced shapes for kids. These shapes include arrows, stars, and hearts. Advanced shapes do not include 3-D structures in preschool as it may confuse them. Kids with a clear conception of basic shapes will be able to ace this topic quickly. 

 


How to teach shapes to kids with the help of games and activities?

Till now, we saw how important basic shapes can be for a child's brain development. Teaching shapes can be cumbersome without activities as children find it difficult to comprehend something that can not be observed. Activities and games will help kids learn while having fun.

Now, we will look into a few activities and games to help your child play and learn. 

  1. Flashcard shapes for kids

Flashcards are a really fun and interactive tool while teaching kids. They can be purchased in stores or prepared by hand. You can draw different shapes on cards made out of thick paper to prepare a set of flashcards. Use these cards to play with your child. Ask your kid to pick up a card and name the shape drawn on the card. Maintain a scoreboard and let them beat their own high scores.

 

  1. Shapes for kids chart

Bright and colorful shape names for kid's charts are available in the market. To prepare them at home, you need to draw shapes and write down their names. Colorful shapes are easier to remember for kids. Ask your kids to look at the beautiful chart every day in the morning before going to preschool or kindergarten. 

 

  1. Shapes hunt

Just like a treasure hunt, shapes hunting is fun and easy for preschoolers. Use a set of flashcards with different shapes on them. Ask your kid to pick up one card and identify the shape and once he or she has identified the shape, ask them to find an object of the same shape around the house. This will keep the kids engaged and help them relate basic shapes to their surroundings.

 

  1. Puzzle games

Two types of puzzles are available for kids to learn basic shapes. The first one contains pieces of brightly colored basic shapes for kids. These shapes need to be fitted onboard with hollows similar to the shapes. These boards with pieces of basic shape for kids are available in preschool supply shops and toy shops.

The second type is a conventional puzzle with bigger pieces. Once a child is proficient in basic shapes for kids they can try to join the pieces of a picture together.

We suggest you go for basic puzzles with pictures of fruits and flowers to keep the level easy for your child.  

 


Conclusion

In the former section, we came across the various benefits of teaching basic shapes for kids. It is one of the most important topics covered in the kindergarten and preschool syllabus. Even though your child may be learning shapes for kids in school, it is suggested that parents help them out with shapes games for kids. This is because the identification of shapes and naming shapes are two different objectives. Kids tend to forget shape names.

Start teaching basic shapes to your child and try to relate them with the objects around you. This will help kids relate the concept of basic shapes with their surroundings. We suggest parents start with basic shapes and gradually move into advanced shapes. Spend more time on basic shapes for kids to build the foundation for advanced shapes. 

 


About Cuemath 

Cuemath, a student-friendly mathematics and coding platform, conducts regular Online Live Classes for academics and skill-development, and their Mental Math App, on both iOS and Android, is a one-stop solution for kids to develop multiple skills. Understand the Cuemath Fee structure and sign up for a free trial.

 


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

What is the difference between regular and irregular shapes?
  • Regular Shapes are those which have equal sides as well as equal angles. Irregular Shapes are just the opposite,i.e, their angles and sides vary.
  • Examples of Regular Shapes are Square, Circle, Equilateral Triangle, etc.
  • Examples of Irregular Shapes are Rectangle, Heart, Right-angled triangle, etc.

What are the different types of 3D Shapes that are formed using rectangles and circles?
  • Cylinder - Circles
  • Cuboid - Rectangles
  • Cube - Squares
  • Pyramid - Rectangles and Circles
  • Tetrahedron - Triangles

What are the three different types of shapes?
  • Geometric: These are simple shapes like rectangle, square, triangle, etc. which are geometric in nature. They form the basis of other types of shapes.
  • Organic: These shapes are curvier in nature and have a natural feel to them (for example, the shape made after the ink is spilled on a paper is of organic type). These are more soothing and relaxing to the eyes.
  • Abstract: These shapes are complex in nature and are mostly used in graphics designing purposes. They are aesthetically beautiful but are not naturally found.

Teaching Basic Shapes to Kids In an Interesting Way

 

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why is teaching shapes so important?
3. What are the different types of shapes for kids?
4. How to teach kids with the help of games and activities
5. Conclusion
6. About Cuemath
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
8. External References

 

Introduction

Kids have dynamic learning capabilities that are enhanced by their observation skills. However, parents need to take tiny steps while teaching preschool kids. Basic shapes and colors impact children. They try to understand their surroundings by looking at the different objects around them. All kinds of objects and structures help kids in learning shapes. As a parent one should introduce different shapes for kids at an early age. There are various shapes activities for kindergarten that can help kids learn and understand basic shapes.

 


Shapes for Kids

Here is a downloadable PDF that lists out various shapes for kids. Teaching basic shapes for kids helps them understand their own observations. Different types of shapes for kids. Click on the download button to explore them. 

 


Why is teaching shapes important?

Basic shapes for kids are being taught at every preschool today. It is important to understand the necessity of shaping activities for kindergarten kids. Few ways in which kids are impacted by basic shapes are:

  1. Visual Information
  2. Sign and symbols
  3. Alphabets and numbers
  4. Mathematical concepts
  5. Categorization and comparison 
  6. Problem-solving
  7. Symmetry

 

  1. Kids Learn how to organize visual information

Children observe their surroundings very keenly and encounter different shapes every single day. Teaching basic shapes for kids helps them understand their own observations. The visual information they gather comprises compound shapes that are formed by a combination of basic shapes. Shapes’ names for kids enable them to identify the basic shapes in compound shapes. For instance, when a child looks at a car it appears to be a rectangular box. However, children will learn to identify the compound shapes in a car once they learn basic shapes. 

 

  1. Helps to teach signs and symbols

Symbols are very important for kids. But it will take some time for kids to get used to it. Kids take some time before they can actually name the shapes they see. However, this does not indicate that the kid is unable to comprehend basic shapes. Signs on the other hand impart certain information and details. Basic shapes for kids help them store information in their minds. Kids are usually 5 to 6 years old when they start following signs and symbols

.

 

  1. Help kids identify different alphabets and numbers

Toddlers may get confused among all the alphabets they see. As parents, it can be challenging to teach various letters and numbers. Kids tend to mix up similar-shaped letters like “b” and “d”. Patience is important while correcting these mistakes. Learning shapes for kids help them differentiate among the letters. Therefore all the preschools cover learning shapes for kids before moving into Alphabets and numbers.

 

  1. Basic mathematical concepts can be taught

Once a child is comfortable identifying shapes for his /her own, they can start learning simple mathematical operations like addition and subtraction. It is always easier to teach addition than subtraction. Therefore we advise parents to start teaching addition and then venture into subtraction. Basic shapes for kids include balls, matchboxes, dice, etc. So you can pick the object of your choice and start teaching simple maths to your kids.

 

  1. Categorization and comparison

Facial recognition and navigation skills are swiftly developed among kids who can categorize and compare various shapes. As kids learn to differentiate shapes, they understand facial features and their differences. It is also important to note that different shapes for kids imply different geographical locations or features. Have you noticed, in kids’ drawing- mountains and hills are always triangles and houses have a square or rectangle structure with a triangular roof? We do suggest you take a look and understand how kids observe and compare the shapes around them.

 

  1. Problem-solving

Brain development and thinking skills are really important for a kid in preschool or kindergarten. Shapes and colors are directly responsible for brain development. Kids analyze structures and start with 2-D mental mapping and then gradually, as the year progresses, they start 3-D mapping. These mental mapping of shapes plays a crucial role in the development of problem-solving abilities in children.

 

  1. Symmetry

Kids love to play around the parks or fields. This is important for the development of their motor skills. However, kids tend to lose their balance more often than adults. Growing up, we all had cuts and bruises on our knees Over the years these injuries started disappearing even when sports activities became more rigorous. This happens when kids are unable to understand the basic concept of balance and center of gravity. Now even though terms like the center of gravity feel fancy for kids, it is important to teach symmetry with the help of basic shapes for kids. This will help them understand how to position themselves and develop motor skills. 

 


What are the different types of shapes for kids?

Different shapes for kids are available ranging from basic shapes to compound shapes. Basic shapes are simple shapes that can not be broken down into simpler shapes by general conventions, examples include square, circle, triangle, etc. Compound shapes can be split into simpler shapes, examples include Arrows, Starts, etc. Let us go through a few shapes to understand better. 

Shape

Image

Number of Sides

Example:

Triangle

3 Sides

Mountains and Hills are Triangle in shape

Square

4 Sides

Small houses or huts are square in shape

Rectangle

4 Sides 

Cars and buses are rectangle in shape

Circle

No Sides

Wheels and Balls are circle in shape

Arrow

7 Sides

Signs boards have an arrow shape

Star

10 Sides

Starfish and star anise are star-shaped

Diamond

4 Sides

Kites and crystals have diamond shape

Heart

No Sides

Strawberries are heart-shaped.

 

  1. Basic Shapes for kids

Shapes like squares, triangles, circles, and rectangles are taught first to kids. Once a child learns how to categorize and name these shapes, they are taught more complex shapes. However, it suggested that ample time is spent on basic shapes for kids. This is because all the shapes are taught at a later stage depending upon the concepts developed during learning basic shapes for kids. It may require a little while for kids to pick up the concept but we suggest parents be patient.

 

  1. Advanced Shapes for kids

Once a child is familiar with basic shapes he/she is ready to learn advanced shapes for kids. These shapes include arrows, stars, and hearts. Advanced shapes do not include 3-D structures in preschool as it may confuse them. Kids with a clear conception of basic shapes will be able to ace this topic quickly. 

 


How to teach shapes to kids with the help of games and activities?

Till now, we saw how important basic shapes can be for a child's brain development. Teaching shapes can be cumbersome without activities as children find it difficult to comprehend something that can not be observed. Activities and games will help kids learn while having fun.

Now, we will look into a few activities and games to help your child play and learn. 

  1. Flashcard shapes for kids

Flashcards are a really fun and interactive tool while teaching kids. They can be purchased in stores or prepared by hand. You can draw different shapes on cards made out of thick paper to prepare a set of flashcards. Use these cards to play with your child. Ask your kid to pick up a card and name the shape drawn on the card. Maintain a scoreboard and let them beat their own high scores.

 

  1. Shapes for kids chart

Bright and colorful shape names for kid's charts are available in the market. To prepare them at home, you need to draw shapes and write down their names. Colorful shapes are easier to remember for kids. Ask your kids to look at the beautiful chart every day in the morning before going to preschool or kindergarten. 

 

  1. Shapes hunt

Just like a treasure hunt, shapes hunting is fun and easy for preschoolers. Use a set of flashcards with different shapes on them. Ask your kid to pick up one card and identify the shape and once he or she has identified the shape, ask them to find an object of the same shape around the house. This will keep the kids engaged and help them relate basic shapes to their surroundings.

 

  1. Puzzle games

Two types of puzzles are available for kids to learn basic shapes. The first one contains pieces of brightly colored basic shapes for kids. These shapes need to be fitted onboard with hollows similar to the shapes. These boards with pieces of basic shape for kids are available in preschool supply shops and toy shops.

The second type is a conventional puzzle with bigger pieces. Once a child is proficient in basic shapes for kids they can try to join the pieces of a picture together.

We suggest you go for basic puzzles with pictures of fruits and flowers to keep the level easy for your child.  

 


Conclusion

In the former section, we came across the various benefits of teaching basic shapes for kids. It is one of the most important topics covered in the kindergarten and preschool syllabus. Even though your child may be learning shapes for kids in school, it is suggested that parents help them out with shapes games for kids. This is because the identification of shapes and naming shapes are two different objectives. Kids tend to forget shape names.

Start teaching basic shapes to your child and try to relate them with the objects around you. This will help kids relate the concept of basic shapes with their surroundings. We suggest parents start with basic shapes and gradually move into advanced shapes. Spend more time on basic shapes for kids to build the foundation for advanced shapes. 

 


About Cuemath 

Cuemath, a student-friendly mathematics and coding platform, conducts regular Online Live Classes for academics and skill-development, and their Mental Math App, on both iOS and Android, is a one-stop solution for kids to develop multiple skills. Understand the Cuemath Fee structure and sign up for a free trial.

 


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

What is the difference between regular and irregular shapes?
  • Regular Shapes are those which have equal sides as well as equal angles. Irregular Shapes are just the opposite,i.e, their angles and sides vary.
  • Examples of Regular Shapes are Square, Circle, Equilateral Triangle, etc.
  • Examples of Irregular Shapes are Rectangle, Heart, Right-angled triangle, etc.

What are the different types of 3D Shapes that are formed using rectangles and circles?
  • Cylinder - Circles
  • Cuboid - Rectangles
  • Cube - Squares
  • Pyramid - Rectangles and Circles
  • Tetrahedron - Triangles

What are the three different types of shapes?
  • Geometric: These are simple shapes like rectangle, square, triangle, etc. which are geometric in nature. They form the basis of other types of shapes.
  • Organic: These shapes are curvier in nature and have a natural feel to them (for example, the shape made after the ink is spilled on a paper is of organic type). These are more soothing and relaxing to the eyes.
  • Abstract: These shapes are complex in nature and are mostly used in graphics designing purposes. They are aesthetically beautiful but are not naturally found.

Moon for children - interesting facts about the Moon for children

The moon is the closest celestial body to the Earth, it is clearly visible, it shines in the night sky and constantly changes shape. It is not surprising that the moon is always of interest to children.

How to tell a child about it in a simple and correct way?

Satellite of the Earth

When asked what the Moon is, people usually answer: “Satellite of the Earth”. This is an absolutely correct answer. Just like in ordinary life, where a satellite is someone who accompanies you on your journey, the Moon follows the Earth in outer space.

It must be understood that the Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth, that is, it was formed without human intervention. The Earth has many satellites (they are launched for various scientific research, for establishing communications and television), but these are artificial satellites, they are created by people.

Where did the moon come from?

It is impossible to answer this question exactly. Scientists make several assumptions:

  • it broke away from the Earth when a large cosmic body hit the Earth;
  • it was an asteroid, but, flying past the Earth, it fell into its zone of attraction and became a satellite;
  • The moon was formed from cosmic dust or there were several "moons" that merged into one;
  • some believe that the Earth "pulled" the Moon from another planet.

One way or another, the Moon has been with us for a very long time: it was formed a little later than the planet Earth, more than 4. 5 billion years ago.

Why doesn't the Moon move away from the Earth?

All bodies are attracted to each other; the force of attraction depends on the weight (mass) of objects and their distance relative to each other. The greater the mass, the stronger the attraction, it weakens as one body moves away from another.

The Moon has such a mass and is at such a distance from the Earth that it can neither fly away from it nor connect with it: the force of attraction is just enough to keep it in the Earth's orbit and not let go.

How far is the Moon from us?

The Moon is the closest celestial body to the Earth. The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is 380 thousand kilometers.

Of course, it is very far away. But by cosmic standards - very close.

So much so that a satellite can fly to the moon in less than 4 hours. The spacecraft flies much longer - from 3 to 5 days, but even this is not enough in comparison with the duration of flights to other space objects.

Interestingly, the Moon is gradually moving away from the Earth. Very slowly, by 3.8 centimeters a year, and it is impossible to notice it at such distances.

Size, weight and shape of the Moon

The Moon is 81 times lighter than the Earth. And 4 times smaller. That is, it is a relatively large celestial body. Therefore, researchers sometimes call the Earth and the Moon not a planet with a satellite, but a double planet.

From Earth it seems to us that the Moon is absolutely round. Indeed, its shape is close to a sphere (with a radius of 1737 km). But this is not quite the right ball, it is slightly flattened.

Climate on the Moon

The Moon has practically no atmosphere - it is, but very rarefied; it is not able to protect from sunlight and radiation or retain heat. Therefore, significant temperature fluctuations are observed here. When the Moon gets heat from the Sun, the surface temperature can reach 127 degrees Celsius. When the Sun sets, cool down to -173 degrees.

There is no "winter" or "summer" on the Moon - for this the axis of this celestial body is not inclined enough with respect to the Sun, by less than 2 degrees (the earth's axis is tilted by 23.44).

Surface of the Moon

Even without a telescope, one can see that the surface of the Moon is not uniform: there are dark and light areas on it. They were observed by ancient astronomers and, by analogy with the Earth, they gave them names: the dark areas became “seas”, and the light, more elevated ones became “continents”.

But the lunar "seas" are not at all like the earthly ones. They don't have water. Seas are depressions filled with hardened volcanic lava. They occupy about 16 percent of the entire surface of the moon. The largest "moon sea" is called the Ocean of Storms.

The entire surface of the Moon (both the seas and the continents) seems to be pitted - covered with large and small depressions, which are called craters. In shape, they are a bit like a plate: the bottom is flat, and the edges are raised. There are a huge number of them - more than 100 thousand. And new craters are constantly formed.

Scientists attribute their occurrence to impacts on the lunar surface of various celestial bodies: comets, asteroids, meteorite fragments.

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The internal structure of the Moon

The Moon, like many celestial bodies, has a walnut-like structure: in the middle is the core, around it is the mantle and outside the crust.

The main element of the nucleus is iron. Inside it is solid (about 240 km), outside it is liquid (300 km).

Above the core, under the crust - a mantle about 1000 km thick. It also mainly consists of metals: magnesium, iron, silicon oxides.

The crust is the upper, thinnest layer, only about 50 km. It is covered with lunar soil: a gray porous material called regolith.

Phases of the Moon

The most interesting feature of the Moon is its ability to change shape: we see it in the sky either as a ball, or as a crescent, or even as a very narrow sickle. Sometimes we don't see it at all.

The fact is that the Moon shines in the night sky not because it is able to glow like the Sun, but because sunlight is reflected from its surface.

Since during its movement in space the Moon changes its position in relation to the Sun and the Earth, it is illuminated in different ways. The shape of the part of the Moon visible from Earth is called the Phase of the Moon.

During the new moon the Moon is not visible: it is between the Earth and the Sun and the reflected light from the Earth is not visible.

During the full moon the Earth is located between the Moon and the Sun. Sunlight is reflected from the surface of the moon completely, and we can observe the correct circle.

Thus, the Moon goes through several phases:

new moon - waxing moon - first quarter (when exactly half of the circle is visible, its right side) - full moon - waning moon - last quarter (half of the moon is illuminated again, but another one) , old moon. Behind her is another new moon.

There is an interesting way to determine the phase of the moon: when only a sickle is visible in the sky, you need to look in which direction it is directed: if you can put a stick on the left so that the letter “P” is obtained, then the moon is growing, and if it looks like a letter "S" is decreasing.

What is "Month"?

There is no celestial body called "moon". A month is one of the phases of the moon - its such a state when we see only a small part in the form of a sickle illuminated.

This name comes from antiquity: our ancestors called the bright part of the Moon, and the dark part of the Moon as the Moon.

But even now it is customary to call the "Moon" precisely the "round" Moon, and the luminous crescent - the "horned Moon".

Lunar eclipses

The phenomenon when the Earth covers the sun's rays falling on the Moon is called a lunar eclipse.

It can be partial or complete.

In a partial eclipse, sunlight is not completely blocked.

But even during a total eclipse, the Moon can be observed - it changes its color to dark red. This is due to the angle at which the sun's rays hit the moon: they slide over the Earth's surface and are partially scattered in its atmosphere. We observe the same phenomenon at sunset.

Far side of the Moon

The Moon moves around the Sun together with the Earth. But at the same time, it also rotates around its axis. Why, then, do we not see it from different sides, why is there some mysterious “reverse side” that we never see?

It turns out that the time of the Moon's revolution around its axis is equal to the time of its revolution around the Earth. - 27.3 days. Therefore, the Moon is always turned to the Earth with one of its sides.

But there are no riddles in its "reverse" side for a long time. She was photographed by research vehicles back in 1959 year. A map of the surface, an atlas of the moon, and even a globe of the moon were prepared.

The reverse side is somewhat different in relief from the one we see: it has fewer "seas" and more mountains.

Exploration of the Moon

The Moon, as the closest space object to the Earth, of course, was the first to hit the lens of space explorers.

At first, people simply watched her appearance, movement, phases.

With the invention of the telescope (in 1609), a more detailed study of the lunar surface, the study of mountains and craters on it became possible. They were recorded, they were given names.

Since the middle of the 19th century, the Moon has been actively photographed and photographs have been closely studied - but even then it was just an external study.

Only after a spacecraft was launched to the Moon (this happened in 1959), it became possible to acquire really important data about it.

Samples of lunar soil were obtained, the atmosphere of the Moon was investigated, even water was found - however, only in the state of ice.

To date, the Moon is the only celestial body other than the Earth that has been visited by man. American astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first to land on the moon on July 20, 1969 years old. In total, 12 earthlings stepped on the surface of the moon.

Is there life on the moon?

Now that the Moon can be considered a fairly well-studied object, scientists are sure that life - in the form in which it exists on Earth - cannot exist on the Moon. The atmosphere is too rarefied there, the temperature fluctuations are too great - in such conditions, living organisms cannot exist.

How does the Moon affect the Earth?

For millennia, the Moon has been seen as a mysterious, formidable and incomprehensible object, and a variety of phenomena on Earth have been associated with its influence.

Most of these theories have now been debunked. But some have been confirmed.

In particular, the tides in the water bodies of the Earth are explained precisely by the influence of the gravitational forces of the Moon. Moreover, the rise and fall of water is stronger in the part to which the Moon is currently closer.

The slowdown of the Earth's rotation is also associated with the influence of the Moon: every hundred years the length of the day on our planet increases (not by much, by 2.3 milliseconds, but still).

Interesting facts about the Moon

  1. We see the Moon as white, but in fact its surface is dark gray, almost black. It appears bright due to the reflected light of the Sun
  2. Man is not the first living creature to approach the Moon: steppe turtles, flies, beetles and various plants were present on board the Soviet spacecraft Zond-5, which circled the Moon on September 15, 1968.
  3. On the maps of the Moon, you can see the faces of people - these are schematically drawn portraits of those whose name is given to the seas, mountains and other objects on the surface.
  4. The force of gravity on the Moon is 6 times less than on Earth: on the lunar surface it would be very fun to jump, and lifting weights is much easier.
  5. Due to the lack of an atmosphere on the Moon, there are no dusks and dawns: day and night are replaced instantly.
  6. There are "moonquakes" on the Moon. But not as strong as on Earth.

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Is your child seriously interested in space topics? You will find more fascinating facts for children about space and the planets of the solar system in our other articles.


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Autism - types of autism: mild form in children and adults

autism spectrum disorders. And we also spoke on condition of anonymity with a person with Asperger's syndrome (a mild form of autism), who turned to specialists only after 20 years, and as a child thought that "everything around is just smarter. "

What is autism and why is it wrong to say "disease"?

Autism is a pervasive (that is, general, extensive) name for a mental state with a reduced or distorted ability to interact with the social environment. A person with this type of psyche (most often it is called disorder or deviation from the norm ) cannot learn through the social environment and receive from it a lot of information important for "normal" development.

See also: "It is very important to accept the baby as he is." Why autism is not a disease

Doctors most often recognize children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as developmentally retarded - such children start talking late, do not look into the eyes, become isolated. Kindergarten teachers and teachers in schools cannot afford to give them special attention and deal with them individually, so parents are advised to send them to a remedial kindergarten or special school.

"There are difficulties in recognizing a lie or some kind of hint. For others, some signals may be obvious, but it can be difficult for me. For example, once they told me that they were flirting with me, but I didn’t understand. It’s a shame very much,” says Ilyas (the name was changed at the request of the hero). “A phrase like “You understand what I mean” is damned at all. No, I don’t understand.”

It is not clear which influences the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders more: the interaction of many genes or rare mutations. Symptoms of ASD include:

  • Stereotypical behavior. A person is absorbed in monotonous actions, as he tries with all his might to avoid any changes in the way of life;

  • Lack of learning. Almost 100% of children with Kanner syndrome (a nuclear form of childhood autism) have an IQ level below 100. At the same time, learning problems are not only in severe form of ASD: the intelligence of people with Asperger's syndrome is usually average or even above average, but the learning problem is not disappears;

  • Seizures. A quarter of people with severe forms of ASD and about 5% of autistic people with a mild disorder and a normal level of intelligence development suffer from seizures;

  • Hyperexcitability and motor activity, disorder of concentration. Most often, hyperactivity manifests itself with tasks and actions imposed from outside, it is easier for a person to concentrate on independently chosen tasks;

  • Outbursts of anger , caused by the fact that a person cannot explain his needs or that someone interferes with his rituals and routine;

  • Enhanced sensory awareness and attention. There is no firm evidence that sensory symptoms may be a feature that distinguishes autism from other developmental disorders.

Of course, there are a number of traits due to which a person can be diagnosed with autism (for example, some kind of distortion of speech communication), but if you look into the details, then no two people with an autism spectrum disorder are the same. Different habits, different fears and manners, different principles and methods of interaction with the surrounding reality. Other methods. Not the kind people are used to, whose condition is closer to the norm accepted in society. Hence the main marker by which these people can be "identified" is stigmatization. Children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder are immediately recognized as mentally ill, and some relatives, parents, or even doctors try to treat autism. Sometimes in rather strange ways.

So, on one of the information sites, under an article about autism spectrum disorders, a woman seriously writes that the wording "another type of psyche" was invented by the Americans, whose goal, of course, is to destroy our people (the site is Russian, and the people mean Russian), and, in order to resist, this must be "uprooted". For example, eliminating dairy products from the child's diet. How and in what way this will help - the commentator does not specify.

Is autism a disease?

There are no autism spectrum disorders in the classification of mental disorders and diseases in Kazakhstan according to ICD-10 (Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases). According to specialists from the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, autism as a mental illness is included in the classification of diseases, but there is no concept of "autism spectrum disorder", which does not apply to diseases.


Autism is not a disease / Photo by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation


The classification of mental disorders adopted in Russia includes several diagnoses related to ASD - childhood autism, atypical autism, Asperger's syndrome (F-84.0, F-84.01 and F-84.5 according to the ICD-10 classification, respectively). It is important that during the life of one person these diagnoses can change, and doctors can confuse one with the other. The problem has not been sufficiently studied, and society knows very little about it at all. What do you imagine when you hear "autism" other than Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Man"?

In the public domain there are special tests for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders. It is important to understand that after going through them, you will not be able to make a diagnosis for yourself, but they will help you navigate and understand whether you need to go to a specialist. You can take such a test here or here (the latter is more complicated, it is just designed for self-diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome; tests for children can also be found on the same site).

"The disorder manifests itself in the fact that, for example, too bright lights or loud sounds can irritate you. I'm not sure that this can be understood correctly the first time. I'll try to explain. You don't feel discomfort or some other unpleasant feelings, but horror "Stranger company - panic attack, no clear, predictable structure and topic of conversation - panic attack. Help, although it may sound funny, repetitive actions, it calms the nerves, and sometimes alcohol."

There are statistics only for children: according to the PMPK (Psychological-Medical-Pedagogical Commission) for 2018, the number of children with autism in Kazakhstan is 3820. However, according to an expert assessment by Professor Eric Fombonne (University of Oregon, USA), who studied the prevalence of the disorder in Kazakhstan – We have 59 thousand children with ASD. Unfortunately, it is impossible to name the exact number of people who are born, live and try to overcome sometimes insurmountable barriers in interaction with the social environment in Kazakhstan.

In the US, for example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism is diagnosed in 1 in 68 children.

Autism is an umbrella term for many different conditions. The root difference between people with ASD lies in the disorder of empathy (a person's ability to perceive other people's emotions and respond to them), due to genes. About 70% of cases are associated with mutations in genes. Also, the cause of autistic disorder may be late pregnancy, late age of parents at the time of conception, illness of the mother during pregnancy. Modern methods of genetic examination can detect autism in only 25% of patients.

How is autism treated?

Autism, specialists of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation are sure, is not a disease, but a special state of development of a child with impairments in three areas: communication, social interaction, patterns of repetitive actions. Therefore, autism is not treated, but helps to improve skills in these areas in order to improve the quality of life of the child. Yes, a person with ASD needs special treatment, and this does not make him different from everyone else, but society is not ready to recognize ASD as a variant of the norm.

Asperger's Syndrome (named after the Austrian pediatrician and psychiatrist Hans Asperger) is a high-functioning autism disorder that retains basic cognitive skills but has severe socialization problems. Asperger's is often characterized by marked clumsiness. The term was introduced in the 80s, and diagnostic standards were developed in the 90s.

Say the word "autistic" and then describe what comes to mind. This is a child. Most likely a boy. He sits in a corner, hugging his knees, and sways from side to side. He hardly talks, only mumbles something under his breath, does not look into his eyes and plays with only one toy. Plus, he's probably a genius. So? Type "autism" in a search engine and you will get two dozen articles mentioning Newton, Einstein, Mozart, Marie Curie. In the minds of the majority, this "disease" works on the principle of conservation of energy: if you cannot integrate into social society, you will be a great mathematician. This is not true.

Read also: Learning to speak with JASPER: how to help people with autism

"The hardest part, to be honest, was when I was a child. I don't know how it is for others, because Asperger's is the mildest form of autism, but it's a shame when you're doing homework with your mom and you tell her that you can’t understand something, you don’t understand and you can’t do anything about it, and the answer is: “You can do everything, don’t be lazy!” Of course, it’s important to say that mom is not to blame for this, such disorders have only recently been diagnosed, but this gives rise to fears in you, a feeling of inferiority, a feeling that they are here - normal people who understand that you are, and you are somewhere outside.

People with ASD do develop asynchronously: some cognitive skills improve faster, some may not show progress at all, but the philistine idea of ​​their genius is exaggerated - there are as many gifted among them as among "normal" people. "Genial madman" (or "scientific idiot") is a very different disorder - savantism (outstanding abilities in one or more areas of knowledge, in contrast to the general narrowness of the personality) - which does not occur only in autistic people.

The latest Danish study - the largest to date - looked at 6,517 cases of autism from a sample of 650,000 children followed over 10 years. No association with the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine has been found.

The otherness of people with ASD is due to their characteristics: a person can be obsessed with mechanical objects and echolocation (uncontrolled repetition of other people's words) or reversal of pronouns (you ask: “What is your name?”, the child answers: “Your name is Ilyas”), fixated on what -something repetitive action, may have difficulty with when to say, why to say and what to say in a given situation. Most often, people with ASD cannot assess social risks, because they do not understand the generally accepted rules and unspoken signals (the most difficult is with the unspoken rules of behavior, for example, the same flirting). In addition, people with ASD are more prone to stress and phobias.

"At the same time, I'm not stupid, I understand that my fears have no rational basis. No one is watching me, no one is laughing at me, and normal people have problems with speech," says Ilyas. I have a daughter, I am the same as you. My morning differs from yours only in daytime tranquilizers and an auto-training program at the mirror. I have a job, friends, although they are few, but, for example, I do not need to take drugs to please serotonin pit. I don't get out of it most of my life."

Due to the fact that there are problems with fitting into social norms, a person with an autism spectrum disorder tends to streamline: this is how a world that was not created for him becomes more or less comfortable.

I must say that children with autism are well trained, but this, in contrast to working with ordinary children, is a much more complex process, subject to a slightly different logic. By helping a child with ASD learn from an early age, professionals can transform the child. In Kazakhstan, both non-profit and commercial organizations work with children with ASD. They provide a variety of services, including behavioral intervention services, sports activities, tutoring services, inclusion in general education programs, and more.

"Learning is very difficult. Information is hard to digest, it's hard for you to understand what you read or what they tell you, but even if you understand, but don't know why it is necessary, how to use this information, it is absorbed even worse. At the same time, you see that others already bounce off their teeth and think that you are just stupid. Why do you need to behave this way at school and not otherwise? This question tormented me all my childhood. But you can adapt. Doing it like this is great, good, I will Imitation turned out to be the best option for me: you choose an object for yourself and just behave in the same way," says Ilyas.

Corrective therapy, or so-called behavioral intervention, is used to work with people with ASD. The goal is to eliminate unwanted behaviors and develop useful skills for the person. (Thus, they work not only with autism, but also with phobias and, for example, drug addiction).

"There are statistics on children who are registered and receive services at the Asyl Miras Autism Centers," says Zhanyl Mukashova, program director of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, "including the diagnostic service, intervention programs, and a program of work with parents. Currently, 6783 are registered in our centers children aged 0-15 years, of which 82% of children, according to the results of the work of the diagnostic service, revealed the autism spectrum.

There are at least two types of interventional therapy: Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EBE) and problem-based outpatient or counseling services.


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