What Is A Pattern ?
A pattern is something that repeats itself and follows a rule. Patterns repeat in a logical way and can change. Patterns can be found anywhere, they can be found in nature, in math, in art and in our every-day lives.
Why Teach Pattern Awareness?
Patterns teach sequencing and predicting
Patterns help students to understand change and show how elements repeat in a logical way.
Pattern awareness leads to higher level thinking and helps children with later mathematical skills such as algebra and logic.
Patterns show logical connections and teach reasoning skills and later mathematical understanding.
Identifying patterns are important in later seeing mathematical relationships and understanding number operations.
Pattern awareness helps with spatial thinking and directionality which is so important for young children in both math and reading.
When to Teach Patterns and Pattern Awareness
Patterns can be taught to children at a very young age. Adults can point out simple patterns to young children that we see in every -day life. For example, we can show children that every day the sun rises and the sun sets. Teaching children patterns helps them make predictions and can help them later in school.
Activities to Teach Pattern Awareness in Preschool and Kindergarten
There are so many fun and creative ways to engage young students in learning about patterns. Here are just a few examples.
Mini erasers– if you are like me, I have an unhealthy addiction to mini erasers and have a ton in my classroom ! You can set out erasers in a pattern on a tray and have students continue the patterns with extra erasers.
Candy– kids love candy ! In Fall, I use pumpkins and candy corn in my classroom centers. The children love finishing patterns that I have set up and later creating their own! You can use DOTS, gumdrops, M&Ms ( in different colors) and so many more!
Linking cubes– my Kindergartners are obsessed with linking cubes, so I take advantage and have them create and finish patterns with bags of linking cubes.
Pattern blocks– this is a great way to teach shapes and patterns at the same time!
Sticker strips– what kid doesn’t love stickers ?! I make repeating patterns with stickers on a strip of paper and then give them stickers to finish the patterns. You can put out blank strips and stickers in your math center to let children create their own patterns. They will stay so engaged !
Linear Calendars– are a great way to teach young children the concept of time and pattern awareness. We have started using these in our Toddler and PreK 3 classes and our kids love them !
Teaching Pattern Awareness in Reading and Literature
There are so many excellent read-aloud books to help teach patterns. Here are some of my favorites.
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Max Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkney
Pitter Pattern by Joyce Hesselberth
– Jeanne
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