Learn about Symmetry with Mirrors & Tessellating Block Play

Did you play with tessellating shapes when you were a kid? I always enjoyed them at school. We never had any in our home which is a shame because I bet I could have fiddled with them for hours. Perhaps that's why I felt we had to get some; so my kids could create without being interrupted.

Right from the beginning, we have been playing with our shapes on a mirror. Not just because it is a flat working surface but also because it broadens the activity.

Playing alongside Miss Pea, the benefits became apparent. She was developing her math and geometry skills and learning about symmetry as she manipulated the shapes. In the mirror's reflection, trapeziums became hexagons, triangles transformed into diamonds and towers doubled in height.

Using a mirror as a play surface also helped exercise hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as she maneuvered the blocks above the mirror viewing them from multiple angles.


The use of mirrors in play is new to our place but I have seen them used in Reggio based learning environments before. Kate at An Everyday Story makes mirrors look so appealing. We will definitely be incorporating them into our play more often.


Do your kids like to play with mirrors?