We are super excited! We just added a new activity to StoryTime. It's called Shapes. In Shapes, kids can play around with multiple shapes freely. Kids can move these shapes around the screen, combining them to create objects or simply exploring how they fit together. There's no right or wrong way to play – it's all about imagination and discovery!

What can Shapes do?

1. It gives kids a bunch of digital shapes to play with

2. Shapes design is wooden-like textures with soft pastel colors (low stimulation colours)

3. Shapes allows siblings play together on the same screen

4. It makes sounds like real wooden blocks

5. Kids can save their creations

6. Shapes grows with your kid - from simple stacking to complex structures

Benefits of Open-Ended Play in Shapes

While nothing can replace hands-on play with physical objects, we strive hard to make Shapes a valuable learning opportunity. Shapes is designed to be open-ended so it can give benefits to kids in many different ways:

1. Creativity and Imagination: Just like with loose parts or block play, Shapes allows children to create anything they can imagine.

2. Problem-Solving Skills: As children figure out how to combine shapes, they're developing critical thinking abilities.

3. Spatial Awareness: Manipulating shapes on the screen helps children understand spatial relationships.

4. Fine Motor Skills: Using a touchscreen to move and place shapes precisely can help refine finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

5. Mathematical Concepts: Playing with shapes naturally introduces children to fundamental mathematical ideas like size, shape, number, and pattern.

6. Language Development: Describing their creations helps build vocabulary related to shapes, positions, and attributes.

7. Collaboration: Multiple kids can play on the same device, promoting communication and turn-taking skills.

Making the Most of StoryTime Shapes

While we create StoryTime so that kids can explore the digital world on their own, parent involvement can enhance the experience. Here are some tips for when you have time to sit down with your kids while they play Shapes:

1. Ask open-ended questions about your child's creations

2. Encourage your child to tell stories about what they've made

3. Challenge older kids to recreate real-world objects or structures

4. Play together using the multitouch feature

5. Use Shapes as inspiration for physical art projects or building activities

6. Introduce math concepts naturally during play

7. Explore symmetry and patterns

8. Practice positional language

Balancing Digital and Physical Play

While Shapes offers many benefits, we understand the importance of balancing screen time with other activities. Here are a few tips:

1. Set clear time limits for digital play

2. Use Shapes as a springboard for physical activities (like building with real blocks)

3. Encourage outdoor play and other hands-on experiences to complement digital learning

The key to open-ended play is following your child's lead. There's no need to direct their play or set specific goals. Simply providing the opportunity to explore and create freely can spark amazing learning moments. Your role is to be a supportive presence, offering gentle prompts and questions that extend their thinking and creativity.

Shapes is available in StoryTime now! Update StoryTime from Apple App Store or Google Play Store and let your kids try it. See what they make and maybe play with them. We can't wait to see what your little ones create with Shapes!