Rainbow Architect

1. 1

   Gather a large sheet of paper and several sharpened colored pencils, then invite your child to become an architect and build a little house.

2. 2

   Be the designer first. Draw a row of arrows, such as ← ↑ → ↓, as a blueprint. Explain, “Point each pencil tip in the direction of the arrow. Place the end of the next pencil against the tip of the one before it.”

3. 3

   Demonstrate with the first pencil. Starting at its tip, let your child place the next pencil in the direction of the second arrow, then continue one pencil at a time.

4. 4

   When the sequence is complete, notice the result together: “Wow—this blueprint made a square!” Add a new blueprint, such as ↗ ↘, and invite your child to begin at the square’s upper-right corner and match each angle.

5. 5

   Now the rainbow house is complete. After seeing how the arrow blueprint works, your child may want to become the designer while you build their plan.

What to notice

• Places each colored pencil in the direction shown by the arrow Geometry and Spatial Sense
• Celebrates happily after completing the little house Sense of Identity and Belonging

Tips

• If a pencil is misplaced, wait until your child finishes, then compare the structure with the blueprint together. Do the pencils meet end to tip? Do their tips point in the same directions as the arrows? Let your child notice and adjust the placement.
• To design a new blueprint, sketch the shape first and mark an arrow along each side. Then copy those arrows into one row for your child to follow.

Developmental benefits

• Cognitive: Using each arrow’s position and direction to decide where and how to place a colored pencil helps your child reason about location and direction on a flat surface.