Form Constancy

Form Constancy refers to the ability to recognize and label objects even when they are viewed from a different angle or in a different environment.

A simple example would be that you can recognize that a dog is a dog whether you see it in a photo, in your garden or in the park, and whether it is sitting, lying down or running.

Labeling the object correctly means that this skill has both a visual perceptual demand and a verbal demand.

form constancy - activities to develop this important visual perceptual skill!

How Does Poor Form Constancy Affect Kids?

Kids who struggle with form constancy may not recognize shapes, numbers and letters

  • when the color, size or font changes,
  • or when they are presented in a different context (for example when they see them in the playground instead of in the classroom).

There is a difference between this and form perception.

Form Perception is more of a "gestalt" term used by psychologists and artists and refers to our ability to see objects, and to perceive their characteristics (such as rounded and straight edges).

Back to Top

These visual perception activities are intended to encourage your child's normal visual perceptual development.
If you suspect your child has visual perceptual delays, please seek a professional opinion.

Activities To Reinforce Shape Constancy

First make sure your child understands what makes a shape special (eg a circle is round; a triangle has 3 corners). For very young children, introduce just one shape at a time - conventional wisdom says one shape a week!

Tactile Perception Activity

Try a tactile perception activity and ask your child to identify the shape that he/she can feel inside a feely bag.

Pattern Blocks#Ad are good shapes to use for this activity.

Objects In The Home

Ask your child to point out the different objects in your home that are a specific shape (eg a clock may be a circle, a table may be a rectangle).

This child has identified 2 rectangles on the wall.

Objects On A Tray

If your child finds it too hard to recognize forms in a busy room, place some household items on a tray and ask your child to pick out specific shapes.

This tray has some triangles and ovals.

Use Picture Books

Use picture books and ask your child to find the different shapes in the picture. 

You can ask questions like: “show me the circles in this picture” or
“what shape is the tabletop?”

Use a Shopping Catalog

Use a shopping catalog or magazine, and ask your child to point out objects that are a specific shape.

You could then cut them for your child to paste into a shape notebook. (Older kids can practice their cutting skills and do this for a younger sibling!)

Back to Top


Activities To Reinforce Number and Letter Constancy

"Out and About" I Spy

Take a walk through town or your neighborhood and let your child spot the current number or letter that you are studying.

"In The Pantry" I Spy

Let your child raid your pantry, and find the current number or letter on the packaging.

"Different Fonts" I Spy

Let your child look for specific numbers or letters in magazines, catalogs, on your calendar and so on.

Let your child cut them out and paste them into a notebook, or you could cut them out for your younger child if this is too demanding.

Back to Top


Activities: Worksheets for Form Constancy

Some worksheets require the child to find objects that are the same even though viewed from a different perspective.


Some worksheets require the child to identify all the objects that are a particular shape (eg clocks and wheels are circles; picture frames and books are rectangles), or to find all the specific shapes on the page.

This form constancy worksheet can be found in the Visual Perceptual Games and Activities workbook.

There is sometimes a place for desktop worksheet activities in preschool, although I prefer to use worksheets as little as possible at this age.

You can check out my favorite printable worksheets on this page!

Preschool Visual Perception Printables

Back to Top


Additional Resources

These other pages on my site give lots of visual perception activity ideas and resources to build your child's skills. Have fun!

Visual Closure Activities
Visual Discrimination Activities
Help Kids Learn To Do Puzzles


I trust you found these suggestions helpful!

Please read my page on Visual Perceptual Skills if you need more information about why all of these skills are so important for kids.

Thank you for visiting my site!

pin this page: Form Constancy - what it is and activities to do with your kids!

Back to Top

If this page was helpful, please share it with your friends!



Get A Head Start On Your Christmas Prep!

christmas-printables-banner-simple.jpg
OT Mom e-books special discount price



Didn't find what you were looking for? Try a search of my site!