What are Pattern Activities for toddlers and preschoolers?

Hello everyone, especially Homeedders Parents and Teachers!

My son it's almost three in a month and we've been doing patterns activities before the age of two.

So what are these exactly?

Introducing patterns is a fun activity for toddlers and preschoolers - and a great life skill!

Patterns Activities are that kind of activities that help children develop their number sense and observation skills, helps in visual learning and improves concentration .

Pattern is about seeing connections and making links.

Patterns are things—numbers, shapes, images—that repeat in a logical way. Patterns help children learn to make predictions, to understand what comes next, to make logical connections, and to use reasoning skills. [source here]

Patterns are things that repeat in a logical way, like vertical stripes on a sweater. Patterns help children make predictions because THEY (the children) begin to understand what comes next. Patterns can be found everywhere in our daily lives and should be pointed out to small children.

Math Logics and Preschool Math is all based on patterns recognition.

Times tables, addition and skip counting all require an understanding of and proficiency in patterning. In preschool, identifying and creating patterns is just the beginning of the mastery of life-long mathematical skills. [source here]

When children understand what makes a pattern, how to copy patterns and how to make their own, this not only enhances their understanding of maths in other areas but also their experiences of art, music and physical movement.

Understanding patterns and relationships also means understanding rhythm and repetition as well as ordering from shortest to longest, smallest to largest, sorting, and categorizing [source]
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Do not underestimate what a child is capable of learning in all academic areas including math. Toddlers can act out patterns such as jumping to the left, then right, then left and then right. They can observe repeating patterns like a block standing, block lying flat, block standing, block lying flat, etc. They become able to copy simple repeating patterns, such as green, white, green, white and so on. Eventually, they will be able to make their own simple patterns. [source]

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. Like any other skill, this will take time and practice to master. Fortunately, there are tons of fun ideas available online to give your child the practice they need and today. In this post I'll share with you two of our pattern activities, but feel creative to make your own.

Match the pattern Colored Squares Activity

What you need for this activity are the followings:

• Plush Iron Wire

• White Paper

• Carioca

• Glue Gun (use it to make the squares out of plush wire)
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This Pattern activity provides rich opportunities for kids to explore, investigate and discover different colors, shapes and sizes.

👉🏻 It develops fine motor skills

👉🏻 It encourages visual perception skills

👉🏻 It improves critical thinking

👉🏻 By matching the pieces and completing the pattern, kids also improve focus and concentration skills.

Also, Pattern based activities are always a best way to improve your kids brain development.
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Caterpillar made out of Pompom Pattern Activity

The second Pattern Activity is also very easy to set up. You need Pom-pom, carioca and some paper/cardboard.

Actually THIS IS THE FIRST PATTERN ACTIVITY WE'VE EVER MADE. Caleb was 1y and 10 months by then. But he did very good, it was definetely a succes.

I'll share some more ideas of pattern matching and pattern recognition in my next posts. Stay tune if you're interested!

Maybe you can share some of your pattern activities you did with your kids? I'd love to see those!

Thank you for reading and I hope this article is useful for you!

Missdeli ❤️