EASY Guide to Teaching Patterns in Pre-K
Why teach patterns?
Teaching patterns in Pre-K is important! Pre-K teachers teach patterns because patterns are a Pre-K standard and prerequisite for kindergarten.
Little minds must learn how to:
- recognize a pattern
- describe a pattern
- create a pattern
- extend a pattern
Pre-K pattern standards include mastery of simple, repeating patterns with two parts.
(A-B-A-B, A-A-B-B, A-B-B-A-B-B)
How to teach patterns
Model, Model, Model!
In the early stages of learning, you will obviously provide lots of direct teaching but don’t forget the importance of facilitation and modeling! Help your little ones extend their learning of patterns beyond math lessons as you point out repeating patterns in daily activities and the environment.
Examples: boy-girl-boy-girl in line, yellow-blue-blue-yellow-blue-blue on the carpet, etc.
Identify the specific pattern type found. With more advanced students, you can discuss ways to manipulate the pattern seen too.
As you guide your students in learning, encourage them to find patterns around them and make their own in the process! You’ll be surprised how quickly they pick up on this learning concept as you make it relatable to them.
Use Manipulatives
Manipulatives allow children to be hands-on in learning. By engaging in learning with multiple senses, little learners are much more likely to retain the information they receive.
Manipulatives also provide a way to keep the attention of wandering little minds (yay!)
Some of my favorite pattern practice is with linking cubes like these or multi colored pom poms.
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These Turkey pattern mats are a low prep, print-and-go option to use during November in your preschool classroom. This resource is perfect to use in math centers, as work mats, in work bins, during morning work, and in fall parties as a fun, interactive way to practice patterns.
These turkey pattern mats include a colored blocks mat, color words mat, and blank blocks mat so your students can build patterns at their own level. Little learners can use unifix cubes, snap cubes, beads, pom-poms, or any manipulative to build patterns.
Bundle & save with my growing pattern mats bundle! In this resource, you’ll find themed pattern mats for each month of the year.
Think VARIETY!
You can teach patterns to preschoolers in so many ways!
Facilitate student learning through multiple experiences for a more naturalistic approach to development.
Be Active
Get your little learners moving and excited! Target patterns during movement time, a wiggle break, or while walking out to play on the playground.
Examples: Stomp-clap-clap, stomp-clap-clap. Jump-spin-jump-spin
Use Colors
Preschoolers are beginning to learn their colors and are often so eager to share their favorites. Why not capitalize on this special interest and use it to your advantage while teaching patterns?!
Examples: Gather different colored leaves while outside to create fall themed patterns like yellow-orange-orange-yellow-orange-orange
Use Themed Vocabulary
Provide extra practice for ELA targets by using themed vocabulary as you teach patterns. This also helps promote carryover of skills as students are exposed to other academic standards throughout the day.
Examples: Turkey-turkey-pumpkin-pumpkin; sock-sock-shoe-shoe; bird-dog-dog-bird-dog-dog
Be confident that you are promoting preschool development in your classroom as you teach students to recognize, identify, and imitate patterns. Before you know it, they will be able to extend patterns and independently create simple repeating patterns on their own!
Do you need more pattern ideas? Don’t forget to check out my GROWING pattern mats bundle!
Find more ideas for your Thanksgiving themed lessons with my favorite turkey-themed books and these super fun turkey resources in my TPT store!
You might also be interested in:
5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Preschool
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