Reception Maths Autumn Block 7

EYFS Shape Activities – Autumn Block 7: Four Sided Shapes

Autumn Block 7 introduces Reception pupils to key 2D shapes with a focus on four-sided shapes such as squares and rectangles. This unit helps children develop early shape recognition skills and positional language through play-based learning, guided group tasks, and real-life context.

In Week 12, pupils identify and name four-sided shapes, explore how to combine them into larger patterns or pictures, and begin to describe position using words like above, next to, and between. Activities include sorting, building with shape blocks, and matching real-world objects to 2D shapes.

This block also includes the theme of ‘My day and night’, which supports the use of shape and time-related language in a familiar context, connecting mathematical ideas to children’s everyday routines.

Each lesson includes:

  • Full Reception maths lesson plans and slides
  • Engaging four-sided shape activities for EYFS
  • Optional EYFS shape worksheets and printable resources
  • Ideas for continuous provision and shape exploration

These resources align with the White Rose EYFS maths progression and support pupils in achieving the Early Learning Goals for spatial reasoning and mathematical language. Designed to fit within our EYFS maths scheme of work, this unit follows on from Autumn Block 6: 1 to 5 and leads into Spring term learning.

Reception Maths – Autumn Block 7: Four-Sided Shapes

In Autumn Block 7 of our EYFS maths scheme of work, Reception pupils focus on identifying and describing four-sided shapes, including squares and rectangles. These Reception shape activities help children recognise the properties of simple 2D shapes through practical, hands-on tasks and visual exploration.

As part of this EYFS 2D shape unit, children learn to spot four-sided shapes in everyday objects like books, doors and windows. They explore how to sort, name and describe shapes by the number of sides and corners, laying strong foundations for geometry in the Early Years.

Throughout the unit, pupils combine shapes to form patterns and pictures, strengthening spatial awareness and creative thinking. They also practise using positional language such as “under”, “next to” and “on top of”, linking position and direction to real-life scenarios.

Each lesson includes:

  • Structured Reception maths planning and teaching slides
  • Engaging EYFS shape activities and hands-on investigations
  • Optional EYFS shape worksheets for extra consolidation
  • Ideas for continuous provision and real-world shape spotting

This block is fully aligned with the White Rose EYFS maths progression and supports the Early Learning Goals for shape, space and measure. It follows on from Autumn Block 6: 1 to 5 and continues into our Spring EYFS maths lessons for Reception.