Shape Bias Language Cards

177 double-sided cards with words, pictures, and sentences. These cards are numbered to match the Teaching Cards and they are designed to help the child learn the shape bias. The shape bias is an important concept for babies and toddlers because the rate of word learning improves once the child learns that the shapes of objects (such as chairs, books, cups, etc.) generally provide more information about the objects’ functions than their colors, textures, sizes, or materials.

The front of the cards shows the same words with different fonts and colors. This side of the cards is designed to help the child learn that words’ shapes are more important than their colors, specific fonts, or background colors. The back of each card has a photo and a descriptive sentence demonstrating that word's meaning. You can use the descriptive sentences on these cards as a model for how to describe objects and actions that capture your baby’s attention.

An abundance of research shows that the early language environment has lasting impacts on the child’s later learning. Infant researcher Dr. Titzer created these Shape Bias Language Cards to highlight that the shapes of words (and many objects) are more important than their colors and to give parents descriptive sentences to read to their children that match the images. The descriptive sentences can be used as examples of the types of sentences that you can use throughout the day when talking with your child and describing your child’s senses.

American English and British English are both included in this box. The only word that is different is colors/colours. We have one card that says “colors” and one card that says “colours,” so you could use both cards and point out to your child that in some countries, some words have different spellings. Alternatively, you can remove the card with the spelling that you don't use.

Includes language development tips and a word cover to help isolate individual words. For more information on the shape bias, click here.

This is the new 2021 version of Shape Bias Language Cards. Comparison with the 2017 version of these cards: The key words on the cards are the same to continue matching the Teaching Cards and the key words from the Your Baby Can Learn series. The fronts of the cards are in new colors, and many images and sentences have been changed. These cards are also in a redesigned box that opens on the longer side of the cards for easier access and additional convenience.

• Left: Fronts and backs of Shape Bias Language Cards with box.
• Right: 177 Lift-the-Flap Language Cards shown with box, word cover, and instructions.