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Basic math skills in preschool and kindergarten set the foundation for learning more advanced math concepts later on. Patterning is one of those important early skills. Thankfully, patterns are easy and fun to teach!
How do we teach patterns? We can notice them, hear them, and physically make them. Here’s a simple progression you might want to use when you teach patterns:
- ABAB (red, blue, red, blue)
- ABC (car, truck, plane, car, truck, plane)
- AABB (crayon, crayon, pencil, pencil, crayon, crayon, pencil, pencil)
- AAB (Cheerio, Cheerio, raisin, Cheerio, Cheerio, raisin)
- ABB (stomp, clap, clap, stomp, clap clap)
Simple ways to teach patterns
1. Notice a pattern on your child’s clothing. “Look, you have on stripes today! Red, blue, red, blue.”
2. Make a pattern with toys. We love to make patterns with Duplos. Making patterns with toy vehicles is fun too.
3. Make a pattern by doing something. “Let’s make a pattern with how we move. Jump. Step. Jump. Step.”
4. Make a sound pattern with rhythm instruments. BANG, tap, tap, BANG, tap, tap. Start out by making a pattern and having your child copy you.
5. Get out a colored manipulative and make patterns. We like to use color tiles, counting bears, and pattern blocks. You could also put pom poms in an ice cube tray.
6. Make patterns with stickers.
7. Save lids and make a variety of patterns.
8. Create patterns with objects you find in nature.
9. You can make a pattern with everyday household objects.
- Pen, pencil, pen, pencil.
- Fork, knife, spoon, fork, knife spoon.
- Big book, small book, big book, small book.
Free printables for teaching patterns
I’ve shared counting bear pattern strips.
My truck pattern strips are one of the first printables I shared at The Measured Mom.
Print these coin pattern strips.
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I’m a future teacher (Early Childhood Ed) living in the Bahamas and your website has been a blessing to me. So grateful for the resources. Thanks a mill!
That’s so wonderful to hear, Shantell! Blessings on your education!
Hi.Im Thana ,from malaysia.Im a per school teacher. Im enjoying teach children without using books… I like to teach the project base but here not much encourage, I found some sources guide the children. To request please share the sources u can…thank you.
You’ll find all my free resources here 🙂
https://www.themeasuredmom.com/print-2/
My name is Nomathamsanqa from South Africa. I’m homeschooling my 3 children from K,grade1 and grade2 and the material I get from Measured mom helps me a lot. Thank you
We’re so happy to hear that this was helpful for you, Nomathamsanqa!
Also I’m gonna be a preschool teacher and I’m intern now. All of these ideas are very different and perfect practices for me about patterns. Thanks from Turkey 🙂
How wonderful that you’re learning to be a teacher, Seyda! I’m so glad you can use my resources. 🙂
i have been wondering how to go about teaching patterns, I can now find the easiest way ever! so straightforward. Thanks a zillion times.
You’re very welcome, Fahidat!