15 simple ways to teach patterns to preschoolers

Looking for some fun ways to teach patterns?  Today I’m sharing a big variety!

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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)

Read on for 15 simple ways to teach your early learner about patterns.  At the end of the post you’ll find a variety of free printables as well!

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.

10. Have your child make her own patterns using stamps and washable ink pads.

11. Draw simple patterns using crayons.

12. Make patterns by sliding balls of play dough onto skewers.

13. Use coins to make patterns.

14. Notice patterns you see everyday.  Have your child find the tile in your bathroom floor, the pattern in your backyard gate, or the pattern in the picture frame on his wall.  Pretty soon he’ll be finding patterns to show you!

15. Here’s a fun one – make patterns using snack food.  Pretzel, cracker, raisin, raisin.  Pretzel, cracker, raisin, raisin.

Free printables for teaching patterns

Get these printable Duplo pattern towers from All Our Days.

Get free M & M pattern cards from Teach Beside Me.

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.

More great resources

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