Interestingly, the Primary Framework for Mathematics believes that 3D shape should be taught at the same time, if not sooner than, 2D shape. The probable reason for this is that in real life children are coming across 3D shapes all the time and will only see 2D shape occasionally in a book, or maths sheet! These fun pages look at a variety of 3D shapes with the emphasis on comparing and matching them and to find the odd one out. No need to mention more complex names such as cuboid at this stage! It is a good idea to have a collection of boxes, some of which are the same as each other and to look carefully at them, discuss their properties (e.g. how many sides, corners etc). Also take two boxes which are the same and turn one round and ask if they are still the same can produce interesting answers. Go to our resources on 3D shape