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PSPKK123 October 5, 2014  •  29 Comments

Simple ways to teach patterns to preschoolers

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Looking for some fun ways to teach patterns?  Today I’m sharing a big variety! Looking for pattern activities for kindergarten or preschool? Find 15 simple and fun pattern activities... with free printables! (This post contains affiliate links.) 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.” Looking for pattern activities for kindergarten or preschool? Find 15 simple and fun pattern activities... with free printables! 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. Looking for pattern activities for kindergarten or preschool? Find 15 simple and fun pattern activities... with free printables! 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. Looking for pattern activities for kindergarten or preschool? Find 15 simple and fun pattern activities... with free printables! 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

Looking for pattern activities for kindergarten or preschool? Find 15 simple and fun pattern activities... with free printables! I’ve shared counting bear pattern strips. Looking for pattern activities for kindergarten or preschool? Find 15 simple and fun pattern activities... with free printables! My truck pattern strips are one of the first printables I shared at The Measured Mom. Looking for pattern activities for kindergarten or preschool? Find 15 simple and fun pattern activities... with free printables! Print these coin pattern strips.

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Filed Under: Math, Colors, shapes & patterns Tagged With: preschool, kindergarten, Pre-K, patterns

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Reader Interactions

29 Comments

  1. Shantell E.

    March 27, 2016 at 5:52 pm

    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!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      March 28, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      That’s so wonderful to hear, Shantell! Blessings on your education!

      Reply to this comment
    • thana

      November 16, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      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.

      Reply to this comment
      • Anna G

        November 16, 2019 at 5:30 pm

        You’ll find all my free resources here 🙂

        https://www.themeasuredmom.com/print-2/

        Reply to this comment
      • Nomathamsanqa

        October 16, 2020 at 1:35 am

        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

        Reply to this comment
        • Heather Groth, Customer Support

          October 16, 2020 at 8:53 am

          We’re so happy to hear that this was helpful for you, Nomathamsanqa!

          Reply to this comment
  2. Şeyda

    December 4, 2016 at 8:53 am

    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 🙂

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      December 4, 2016 at 2:17 pm

      How wonderful that you’re learning to be a teacher, Seyda! I’m so glad you can use my resources. 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  3. Fahidat

    March 3, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    i have been wondering how to go about teaching patterns, I can now find the easiest way ever! so straightforward. Thanks a zillion times.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      March 4, 2018 at 7:37 am

      You’re very welcome, Fahidat!

      Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

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