Working with Patterns

I had a bunch of foam stickers and decided to make B some strips for patterning practice. I saw this idea at Chasing Cheerios.

First, I put the stickers on the strip of paper in a certain pattern. I left the backing on the last sticker but traced it in the pattern. He never actually sticks the last sticker in place. He sets it on the shape (more like a puzzle) so that they can be reused over and over again. I put all of the strips and pieces into a ziplock bag for storage.

When we first started, I showed him one pattern strip and pointed to each one and said, "Pink, Red, Pink, Red, _____". He would shout out the color and then find the corresponding shape. Now that he has done it with my help several times, I put all of the strips out for him and put the pieces in a bowl and let him say the patterns aloud before finding the piece.

This can be done with regular stickers, stamps, cereal, m&ms, etc. or here are a bunch of great printable patterns that you might want to try!

Cupcake Patterning Cards found at Home Grown Hearts via Free Homeschool Printables

A TON of Pattern Printables from Mrs. Kilburn’s Kiddos

More Patterning Cards from Montessori for Everyone

Thanksgiving Patterns from File Folder Fun

Candy Cane Patterning from the 1+1+1=1 Christmas Tot Pack