Some Recent Research Shows Shape is not just for mathematics...
Recent research has delved into how children aged 2 to 7 acquire shape knowledge, emphasizing the significance of spatial features in early lexical development. Studies by Barbara Landau and Linda B. Smith have highlighted that both children and adults prioritize shape over size or texture when learning new object names. For instance, if a child learns that a square object is called a "Dax," they are more likely to identify other square objects, regardless of size or texture, as "Daxes," but not objects of different shapes. This inclination towards shape becomes more pronounced with age and is believed to aid in word learning and general categorization tasks. (en.wipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org)
Further research indicates that different spatial information is considered when children learn various types of words. For example, when a novel word is introducs either a noun or a preposition, both adults and children use object shape and position differently based on the word category. This suggests that individuals focus on distinct geometric properties depending on whether they are learning nouns or prepositions. (en.wikipedia.org)
Additionally, studies have shown that training 17-month-old children to associate novel object names with specific shapes can accelerate their word learning abilities beyond the laboratory setting. This implies that early experiences in associating words with shapes can influence and enhance subsequent vocabulary acquisition. (en.wikipedia.org)
Collectively, these findings underscore the pivotal role of shape in early language development and suggest that attention to spatial features is crucial for effective word learning in young children.
Tarquin's list has some great shape (and space) resources and some new ones too.
