Pattern Play!

Patterns are a fun math themed activity to embark on with your preschooler. Begin by discussing what a pattern is, and isn't. Remind your child that to be classified as a pattern, it must always repeat. Here are several ideas to teach about patterns:

1.Pattern Scavenger Hunt- Search the house and make a list of items and objects that have patterns, and those that don't.

2.Create color dot or other shape patterns using crayons and blank paper. Have your child finish the patterns (ie. Geen circle, red square, blue triangle...)

3.Have fun together making musical patterns, like clap, snap, clap! Repeat, of course!

4.Use musical instruments to play patterns, like drum beats or piano keys.

5.Create a math number worksheet, and have your homeschooler fill in the patterns- like 1,2,1,2...? You can create a few higher level thinking problems, too, like 1,2,4...5,6,?

6.Visit a zoo or animal sanctuary, either live or online, and note animals with patterns. Make a list of these animals and have your child draw the pattern or the animal and color it in.

7.Beads are an awesome craft to utilize the pattern concept with. Gather beads of all sizes and shapes, as well as plenty of string. Girls and boys will enjoy making bracelets and chains of various patterns again and again.

8.Use colored construction paper to make paper chains for the season. Create patterns together, and be sure to let your child use the scissors to practice cutting. Create patterns of orange, green and black for Halloween; red, green and gold for Christmas; and baby blue, pink and yellow for Easter.

9.Create patterns out of dried and colored macaroni! Use the recipe below to have your child assist you in coloring this non edible craft. Macaroni, after colored and dried can be easily strung , or glued on to heavy paper as a pattern project.

Recipe:

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
Food coloring -several drops per color, depending on color intensity, etc.

Directions:

1.Mix alcohol and food coloring in bowl. You may need to use several bowls (paper is easy) to mix a variety of colors.

2.Add small amounts of any type of pasta to the liquid in the bowls and gently stir the pasta in.

3.Dry the dyed pasta on newspapers covered with wax paper.

Learning about patterns is not only fun, but also educational!
Check out Pattern Mania on the website below for some additional online fun learning about patterns with your preschooler!
http://www.gameclassroom.com/skill/3177/simple-patterns