Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Copy My Shape: Free Printable Worksheet for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Copy My Shape is a free printable art worksheet for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children freeze their bodies into a pose, then draw that pose as a stick figure in the frame. They start with three named poses, then invent poses of their own and draw a friend copying one. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch task and answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children move first and draw second. The sheet gives them Stretchy, Curly and Spiky poses to freeze in, each with a clear body clue to follow. Then they invent a brand new pose and another one for a friend. Last, they draw the pose their friend makes. The boxes are for drawing, so there is no writing to worry about.
- 1 Stretchy: arms up high, up on tiptoes. Freeze!
- 2 Curly: curl up small like a snail. Freeze!
- 3 Spiky: elbows out, fingers wide, feet apart. Freeze!
- 4 My new pose: draw a brand new pose here.
- 5 Another new pose: draw one more for a friend.
- 6 My friend copies: draw your friend's pose here.
Why freeze, then draw?
Young children learn through movement. Stretching up, curling small or sticking elbows out helps them feel what their arms, legs and back are doing. Freezing makes the movement stop, so there is a moment to look and notice. That moment is what turns a wriggle into something a child can draw.
A stick figure turns a body into a few simple lines. A line for the body, lines for arms and legs and a circle for the head are enough to show a pose. Copying a pose also gives children a reason to look closely and to use words like tall, small, wide and bent.
Skills and curriculum link
- Body control
- Freezing and balance
- Drawing stick figures
- Copying a shape
- Looking carefully
- Pencil control
Ideas for helping with poses
- Big body, small drawingMoving the whole body first can make drawing easier. Let your child stretch, curl and spike properly before they pick up the pencil.
- Look at the linesAsk which way the arms point and where the legs go. Talking about straight, curved and bent lines helps children decide what to draw.
- Start with the middleMany children find it easier to draw the body line first. Then they add arms, legs and the head.
- Wobbly is fineReception children are still building pencil control. Shaky lines are normal. Praise the effort and the looking.
Key words
- FreezeStop moving and stay completely still.
- PoseA shape you make with your body and hold still.
- Stick figureA simple drawing of a person made from lines and a circle.
- FrameThe box on the page where your drawing goes.
- CopyMake something that looks the same as another thing.
- Describing wordA word that tells you what something is like, such as tall or wobbly.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read one panel at a time. Let your child freeze in the pose first, then draw it in the frame.
- Work through the sheet together the first time. Talk about the choices your child makes for their own poses.
- Check page 2 together. Praise effort and wobbly lines, not only neat drawings.
- Come back another day and try new poses. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Draw the first pose together. Let your child copy your lines, or ask them to draw just the head and body. Add arms and legs later. Freeze in the pose again so they can look at their own body while they draw.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to add a face, hands and feet to each stick figure. Then they can give each new pose a name with a describing word, such as sleepy, jumpy or wobbly. Can a friend guess the pose from the name?
Make it a game
Swap sheets with a friend. Each person freezes in the pose the other has drawn while a grown up counts to three. Then swap back and see whether the pose matches the drawing. Take turns being the one who counts.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child draws only a circle and a scribble, so the pose is hard to see.
Try thisAsk, "Where are your arms?" Let them touch each part, then draw a line for it. Add one body part at a time.
Watch forEvery drawing looks the same, even though the poses were different.
Try thisFreeze again and look at the arms and legs. Ask whether they are up, out or tucked in, then change the lines to match.
Watch forA child rushes and the drawing is very small or very quick.
Try thisSlow things down. Count to three while they hold the pose, and remind them that the whole figure fits in the frame.
Talk about it
- Which pose was easiest to hold still? Why?
- What did your arms do in the Stretchy pose?
- How is Curly different from Spiky? Use two describing words.
- What new pose did you invent? What would you call it?
- Can you see where your friend's arms and legs are before you draw them?
- Which part of the stick figure was trickiest to draw?
Take it off the page
Mirror pairs
Stand facing a friend or grown up. One person makes a slow pose and the other copies it like a mirror. Swap roles after each pose.
Shadow poses
On a sunny day, stand outside and make a pose. Look at your shadow on the ground. Can you change your pose to make the shadow spiky or curly?
Pipe cleaner people
Bend a pipe cleaner into a stick figure pose. Ask someone to copy it with their own body, then bend it into a new pose.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first panel, then let them lead. Freeze in the poses too, as it makes the game more fun. Short sessions work well, and you can stop and return another day.
Teachers
Use it as a starter before an art lesson, a table activity or a movement break. It links to Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials) and Physical Development (Gross Motor Skills). Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider art or movement plan. It pairs well with outdoor play, picture books about bodies and simple games like Simon Says. Print it again for brothers and sisters to join in.
Where this fits in learning
Before this sheet, children explore big movements in play, such as running, stretching, climbing and balancing. They also make marks and draw simple shapes and circles. These experiences give them the control and the body awareness they need to freeze and draw.
After this sheet, children can draw people with more detail, such as faces, hands, feet and clothes. They can also draw people in action, and talk about their drawings. In Key Stage 1 art, they use drawing to record what they see and imagine.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Copy My Shape for?
It is written for Reception, which is ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Younger children can join in with the freezing and drawing with help. Older children can use the stretch idea on page 2.
- What will children practise?
Children practise body control by freezing into poses, and they practise drawing stick figures and copying a shape. It links to Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials) and Physical Development (Gross Motor Skills).
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another group of children whenever you like.
- What if my child finds drawing hard?
Draw the first pose together and let your child copy your lines. They can also draw just the head and body to begin with. Freezing in the pose again helps them see what to draw.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children only need a pencil, though they can add colour afterwards if they want to.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a table activity or a homework task. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. The movement part also gets children up and active before they sit down to draw.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.