In today’s post we bring a free printable brought to you by Tan from Kids on Roll. This free printable is a great activity that brings you 4 fun ways to teach patterns to kids. Take a look and join us for the rest of our #31daysofactivities.
Learning patterns is one of the first things you need to teach your kid before he/she goes to school. Do you know why? Doing pattern worksheets seems pretty simple for adults. But, our kids need time to get used to identifying patterns.
This early math skill inculcates problem-solving in our kids which is crucial for their cognitive development. It also helps them identify rhythm in life. As they learn to recognise patterns, they also begin to choose predictability and knowledge over chaos. Also, spending some time with your child while you teach patterns is an excellent way to reassure them of their value and worth.
Always remember that a healthy kid grows up to be a healthy adult. Congratulate your kid every time he gets an answer right. Patterns help children learn about life. Let’s now get to how to teach patterns to your kids.
How to teach patterns to your kids?
Here are four easy and fun ways to teach patterns to your preschool kids.
Play with them
Let’s be honest. Every kid loves blocks. Our kids learn the true meaning of joy and adventure while they play with their toys. Playing with blocks or a similar game is an excellent way to help your child recognise colour patterns and sequencing.
Dance with them
You don’t need to be a choreographer to dance with your own kid. Dancing is an excellent way to teach them patterns. Begin with simple “clap-clap-turn”. When they begin feeling comfortable with this rhythm, make things a bit more complicated for them and add a new element to this rhyme. How about “clap-clap-jump-turn”?
Again, give your kid some time to recognise this pattern. It’s okay if they make mistakes. Give them some time to recognize the new pattern.
Make jewellery
Simply pick a string and multicolour beads. Ask your kid to add the beads to the string in a specific colour pattern. Ask them to go with their instinct and maybe make a pattern of their own. Believe me, this is by far the most fun way to teach patterns to your kid. It will help them channel their creativity and develop love and respect for all art forms.
Complete a pattern worksheet
A pattern worksheet is by far the easiest way for you to teach your kid patterns. There’s literally nothing you need to worry about. Simply print out our free worksheets and ask your kid to complete the patterns in the sheets. This is a hassle-free method. You can make it even more fun by asking them to complete patterns with their favourite characters on them.
We have this free pattern worksheet for you to download and enjoy with your kids. Take a look at the beautiful worksheet and click on the button below the images to download your own.
Bottom line
If you want to teach your kid patterns, or literally anything else, you have to make it fun for them. The more time you spend with your kid, the easier it will become for them to learn patterns.
It will also give you some bonding time as you celebrate with them when they finish a pattern worksheet correctly or laugh with them when they make a mistake.
Mastering patterns prepares your kids for learning basic addition, subtraction and multiplication that they will soon be introduced to in their school. All you really need to do is spend some time with your little one as I’m sure they will learn patterns sooner than you think.
There are more activities for you on patterns our site, take a look at some below. We also have a great article on teaching art to kids which you might find relevant too.
Other how to draw activities
Some more thoughts and ideas for how to get kids drawing - from the general to the specific.
How to Draw – Step by Step Drawing For Kids and Beginners
General ideas for kids to help them with the basics of drawing; with some simple easy doodle tutorials.
How to Draw a Unicorn
Who doesn't love a unicorn - details on how to draw one easily.
How to draw Spirograph pattern art | Free Worksheets
Spirograph patterns are pretty, and very helpful for mindfulness. This helps your kids to learn how to draw them.
And there’s even more pattern and tracing activities on the web. Here are a few.
Tracing and other writing activity ideas from the internet
We've got some more ideas for you from the internet to help your children to explore tracing and handwriting skills. Why not check them out?
Not Interested in Learning to Write Their Name? Try These.
This is obviously a personalised book activity - why not try a few more name tracing ideas from Hands on As We Grow. These are designed to inspire your kids to have a go.
Object Tracing - An easy drawing activity for all ages
This, from Pickle Bums, is a little different as a tracing activity - this encourages the kids to trace everyday objects to improve their co-ordination.
Making Trace Fossils in Edible Mud Dough
Our final idea, from Rainy Day Mum, is focused on fossils. Get your kids tracing them in edible mud!
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Thank you for stopping by,
Helen
Tan Kapoor
Tan is an engineer, mum of a 5 year old and creator of Kids on Roll - a blog she created to share her experiences as a mum. Kids on Roll provides thoughtful, positive and practical parenting tips. Follow her to support her work and receive weekly tips and tricks you definitely need to help your child unlock his full potential.