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Simple ways to teach patterns to preschoolers

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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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  4. […] Fun with Patterns: There are patterns everywhere – point them out and talk about them! Is there a pattern in the tile floor? Or the necklace you are wearing? Legos and blocks are also great for making patterns of all kinds and asking children, “What comes next?” Base patterns on shapes, colors, numbers –  anything! See if children can figure out the pattern. Here are some pattern making activities to explore. […]

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  11. […] This is a “do what I do” game that involves music and early math skills. With this rhyme, the kids get to participate and copy patterns of sounds after hearing you make them. Start with a simple progression, such as stomp, clap, stomp, clap. If using rhythm sticks, try tap, tap, stomp, stomp. In addition to setting the foundation for more advanced computational thinking, this game is also fun! Clap your hands, stomp your feet, shake your eggs, tap your sticks, and make some music! For more information about teaching patterns, visit themeasuredmom.com.  […]

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