Pattern is a unifying theme that weaves mathematical topics together. The study of patterns supports children in learning to see relationships, to find connections, and to make generalizations and predictions. Understanding patterns nurtures the kind of mathematical thinking that helps children become problem solvers and abstract thinkers. It is a problem solving tool. Children first explore free patterns with their own bodies, actions and words. They see and hear patterns in the world around them. Before creating pictorial representations and patterns at symbolic levels, children need objects with which to make patterns.
When working together creating patterns, parents should use such words as copy, repeat, create, and extend. Parents need to know that the core of a pattern should repeat three times to be a complete pattern. Children should be able to repeat and extend a pattern and extend the patterns others have started.
When beginning to work with a child on learning patterns, parents should begin by giving a child many opportunities to learn sorting and grouping of objects. Here are some ideas for developing sorting and grouping skills:
Sorting and Grouping Activities
- Sort the laundry into groups of shirts, socks, pants etc.
- Sort all the toys in the toy box.
- Group DVD and CD’s into two groups.
- Sort books into groups. For example: Fairytales and Animals
Once a child has an understanding of sorting, parents can move to pattern building. When creating patterns with a child, a parent should begin with less difficult patterns and progress to more complex patterns. Such as AB (red, blue), ABB (red, blue, blue), AABB (red, red, blue, blue) and ABC (red, blue, yellow).
Here are some suggestions for pattern activities:
- Clap Patterns: Slow, slow, fast, slow, slow, fast
- Action Patterns: Hop, hop, clap, hop, hop, clap and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, hop
- Patterns with Materials: Making a simple AB pattern using crayons, colour milk lids, plastic animals or buttons.
- Paper Chains: Cut construction paper in strips. Bend paper to make a circle and glue ends together. Repeat with a different colour. Children can make different patterns for each chain.
Parents can take a child on a nature walk and look for patterns on leaves, flowers and fences. A child can look at a quilt and find patterns in the design. Most rugs, wallpapers and clothing have repeating patterns children will enjoy finding. A child can make his or her own notebook and call it My Pattern Book. A child can record all the patterns found and parents will have a record of the progress made.
A fun activity would be to go on a Pattern Hunt outside or around the house. Ask the child to copy all the patterns he or she sees in the pattern book.
Whether a child is creating paper chains, clapping a pattern or going on a Pattern Hunt, he or she is beginning to understand why things work together. It is important for parents to give children as many opportunities as possible to create, extend and copy patterns. By giving a child a notebook to record patterns, parents will see what progress has been made and give the child a sense of accomplishment with learning this important math skill.