Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Cognitive Development (CD)

Subdomain: Mathematical Thinking and Expression

Goal: Children compare, sort, group, organize and measure objects and create patterns in their everyday environment.

Skill Progression: Patterning

Age: 33-36 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 33-36 Months.

Play with the child in dramatic play about making cookies with play dough. Have different colors of play dough, plastic plates and a cookie sheet.

Talk about how to arrange the cookies on the tray. “How should we put the cookies on the tray?” I’m going to make a row here, and you can make a row here. I think I’ll make a pattern with mine. A long cookie and then a short cookie. What pattern are you going to make?”

See if the child imitates the adult’s pattern or creates another pattern. Is there a repeat sequence to the child’s pattern?

Encourage early childhood educators and parents to help the child see patterns on his clothing, in nature, in art, and so on. Parents often don’t think of talking about patterns with their child. Help them understand that this is an important math ability.