Learning Simple Patterns
Learning Simple Patterns
Patterns are all around us—on clothing, in music, in nature, and even in the daily routines we follow. For young children, learning to recognize and create patterns is an important early math and reasoning skill. It lays the foundation for problem-solving, logical thinking, and even reading readiness. Teaching your pre-K child about simple patterns doesn’t need to be complicated—it can be fun, hands-on, and part of everyday life.
Why Patterns Matter
Understanding patterns helps children begin to make predictions, organize information, and notice relationships. These skills are building blocks for later math concepts like sequencing, counting by twos, or understanding shapes. When a child learns that after “red block, blue block” comes another “red block,” they are practicing early problem-solving and logical thinking.
Fun Ways to Teach Patterns at Home
Use Everyday Objects: Try creating an “apple, banana, apple, banana” snack pattern. Ask your child what should come next. You can also do this with toy cars, Legos, or crayons.
Movement Patterns: Clap, stomp, clap, stomp—or hop, spin, hop, spin. These physical patterns keep learning active and exciting.
Story and Song Patterns: Many children’s songs have repeating parts. Point these out and encourage your child to join in on the repeating lines.
Art and Craft Patterns: Encourage your child to make bead bracelets with alternating colors, draw stripes, or glue shapes in a repeated order. View and download our Fuzzigram Pattern Activity Sheet here.
Encouragement and Exploration
The key is to keep pattern learning playful. Praise your child for noticing patterns on their own—like stripes on a shirt or tiles on the floor. Encourage them to make up their own patterns, even if they’re silly at first. By making it interactive and fun, you’ll help your child gain confidence while building strong early learning skills.
View and download our helpful Kindergarten Readiness Checklist.
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