Patterns

An observant person sees patterns throughout their day. Thinking about patterns helps children make sense of mathematics. Challenge your child (and yourself) to find patterns as they naturally occur.

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Tools and Materials

Regular household items for patterning (silverware and kitchen items, coins, buttons, beads and the like)

Steps to take

Steps detailed below

At Home

If you have 3 minutes

  • Look for patterns around your home and throughout routines. Example- setting the table- there is a fork, plate, and napkin; fork, plate, and napkin.
  • Look for patterns in clothing-like different colored stripes on a shirt.
  • Cut out shapes and make patterns. Start with just 2 or 3 different shapes.
  • Make lines or shapes on paper in a pattern, like short line, long line, short line. Ask your child what will come next. When your child has the idea let him/her make a pattern for you to guess.
  • Use coins (or other small objects) and create a pattern­ penny, quarter, penny, quarter. Then create a new pattern: penny, penny, quarter penny, penny, quarter.

On the Go

If you have 3 minutes 

  •  Make walking patterns - when walking take two small steps, 1 big step, then 2 small steps, 1 big step. Stop and ask what will come next. Take turns changing the pattern.
  • Collect items outdoors and make a pattern with the items like rock, stick, leaf.
     

Words to Know

Pattern   compare    sequence    order    same    different
 

Possible Observations

Recognizes simple patterns; identifies next item in a simple pattern; takes turns playing pattern games; names shapes and colors in patterns; makes lines on paper