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Math Quick and Easy

Introducing Patterns to Toddlers & Preschoolers

INTRODUCING PATTERNS: Exposing toddlers and preschoolers to patterning in this simple indoor activity using buttons.

Let’s call this Patterns 101: Introducing patterns.

It’s never too early to introduce patterns to your little one. Patterns are a real and necessary math skill for later in life and it’s one toddlers and preschoolers can master early. BONUS: It’s also really fun to teach.

Don’t be intimidated by teaching your little one big skills like this. It’s fun and they’ll pick it up eventually.

INTRODUCING PATTERNS: Exposing toddlers and preschoolers to patterning in this simple indoor activity using buttons.

Introducing patterns to little ones is fun!

Materials:
(this list contains affiliate links)

  • ice cube tray
  • buttons

For this pattern activity, I introduced my toddler (25 months) to patterns using an ice cube tray and buttons. I felt like the tray gave a good reference for our learning space and the buttons were a fun craft item to pattern with. This was our first ever introduction into patterns. And off we went…

INTRODUCING PATTERNS: Exposing toddlers and preschoolers to patterning in this simple indoor activity using buttons.

Here’s what I did during this introduction to patterns:

I kept it simple and only used what is called (in the teacher biz) an AB pattern. An AB pattern is a pattern with only two parts repeating (think red green red green or dog cat dog cat – even though the objects repeating are different, the way they repeat “ABAB” is the same).

I built a pattern to about 5 buttons then would slowly repeat the pattern back to my toddler. I would repeat it once, then we would do it together, then he would try on his own. Finally after the third time of saying the colors, I asked the all important pattern questions “What comes next?”.

My toddler did surprisingly well with this and we had more successes than misses so I’m calling it a win. We did this pattern twice before switching to a sound AB pattern of “clap pat clap pat” which he 6actually like even more than the button pattern.

/INTRODUCING PATTERNS: Exposing toddlers and preschoolers to patterning in this simple indoor activity using buttons.

After introducing patterns this first time, we started doing “pattern practice” when we need a quick activity, like in the doctor’s office or at restaurants. Places where supplies are limited and meltdown threat level is high… (wink). It’s been a go to “on the road” activity for us ever since. Introducing patterns is such a fun, simple way to learn a little math!

Have you tried introducing patterns to your toddler?

INTRODUCING PATTERNS: Exposing toddlers and preschoolers to patterning in this simple indoor activity using buttons.


5 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kimi says

    April 21, 2016 at 9:04 AM

    My son is very bright, but is having a hard time with patterns. Any suggestions? I’ve tried everything in the article. Repeatedly 😉

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    March 23, 2016 at 12:03 AM

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    May 31, 2016 at 4:12 AM

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I'm Susie, a former teacher turned stay-at-home-mom. I'm all about fun, simple activities that can be set up in seconds but hold little attention spans for much longer.

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