We are surrounded by patterns – the squares in a tile floor, the stripes on a shirt, birds flying in formation. Encouraging children to observe patterns is an important, pre-math skill that helps them make sense of what they see, hear and learn.

Patterns teach children how things work together and allow them to predict what comes next. These skills, in turn, can help children become problem solvers.

Many college math professors feel that all students would benefit from a solid understanding of patterns right from childhood. The importance of strong mathematics skills means children will perform better throughout school and even in their adult lives.

The human brain is good at decoding patterns; it can only operate when it finds meaning. Child development research shows that unless we help children find meaning in what they see and experience, learning will not take place. The brain seeks patterns from birth through life. But if you want your child’s brain to work to its maximum, you have to provide the right activities.

These family ideas for patterning activities will help your child develop skills, strategies and attitudes of a problem-solver: 

Patterning Activities for Babies

Purpose: To teach children to recognize patterns in sounds.

Play: Here are some ways to help the child recognize sound patterns:

  • Clap out syllables in a child’s name. Clap out 'Jen-ni-fer' (Clap-clap-clap). Then clap out other name patterns. Let the child imitate you. Play name patterns with back-to-back spoons or sticks on a board.
  • Start babbling to the child in a pattern, such as, ba ba ba. Let the child imitate you. Have fun repeating the babbles over and over. Try out new patterns in babbling like baba-ba-baba. Allow the child to lead and you can follow.
  • Sing nursery rhymes that have repeated lyrics and movements to the child. Clap to the rhymes in a rhythm: Row, row, row your boat; there was an old lady who swallowed a fly. You can also use songs that have repeated lyrics, such as: The wheels of the bus go round and round.

Plus: Since infants as young as 7 months can repeat the sounds that they hear, you can use these activities to teach them pre-math skills. Studies show that recognizing patterns play an important role in the child’s ability to understand categories and build knowledge. They allow children to see relationships and to recognize parts of a whole. 

Patterning Activities for Toddlers

Purpose: To teach children to copy a pattern.

Play: Give the child a string. Also give her Cheerios and Froot Loops. Have her count and thread the cereals onto the string in different patterns: Cheerios, Froot Loops, Cheerios, Froot Loops. Or Cheerios, Cheerios, Froot Loops, Froot Loops.

Ask the child, “What comes next?” This question helps the child to arrange the cereal in her own patterns. Encourage her to use mathematical words. Say, “I will repeat this with the second Cheerio.”

Let the child use words such as “in front of,” “bigger than,” “smaller” and “more.” Help her notice similarities and differences in patterns on her string. Ask her to tell the colors and shapes of the string and cereals.

Plus: Encouraging toddlers to notice, experiment and play with patterns will sow the seeds of logical thinking, problem-solving and reasoning. Children also can spell better when they are taught to notice the patterns in sounds and meaning of words. 

Patterning Activities for Preschoolers

Purpose: To teach children to observe and create patterns.

Play: Introduce this activity by talking to the child about a “pattern.” A pattern is something that happens again and again. Relate it to the patterns their bodies make. For instance, have children lie in the snow and move their arms and lets back and forth.

When they see how their body movements make snow angels, they will remember the concept of a pattern better. You can also print the route of a toy on the sand. Make the child notice how her body movements make patterns while dancing.

Play a guessing game “I spy a pattern” to teach the child to observe and create patterns. Take her for a walk in the garden. Start by saying, “I spy with my eye a (pattern).” Choose a pattern that is easily visible, such as petals in flowers, rings on a caterpillar, snowflakes, waves of water, two peanuts in a shell and the arrangement of bricks or blocks on buildings.

Let your child take a guess. Then, help narrow the choices by offering another clue: “I spy a pattern with stripes.” Continue to give clues until your child guesses correctly.

This game can also be played at home using tiles on the ceiling, bricks on the wall, a group of shelves, patterns in quilts, fabrics, wood trim, wallpaper, and flooring.

Plus: Patterns are not just visual. There are also sound, time, movement and texture patterns. To help the child understand time patterns, ask her to order a series of his own pictures doing activities from day to night. Touch patterns can be introduced by placing one object in the box and asking children to describe it to you. Sound patterns are made by her own body, like a heartbeat, breathing and stomach noises.


 

Sugandha Jain is the educational director of Grade Expectations Learning Center, Ottawa, Canada.