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: 42-48 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 42-48 Months.

Using blocks of different sizes as a stimulus for discussing the day’s activities. First, tell each of the children to think of something they want to tell their partner about what they are going to do today, tonight, and tomorrow. Children each take a block and set it down for each statement.

“Now, here’s the fun part. Each of you gets to create a pattern with two of your items and the see whether your partner can copy your pattern. Remember a pattern repeats itself, like long-short, long short or tall-short, tall-short, or blue-red, blue-red, blue-red.” Demonstrate with examples they can see. Choose who is going to make the first pattern. If you are the first pattern-maker, take three items from TWO of your groups. Your partner should turn around so she doesn’t see what you are doing. Remember make a pattern of first one, then the other, one then the other, one then the other.” “Now, partners turn around and look at the pattern and see if you can make one like it.” Repeat with the other partner.

The children create and copy a simple ABAB pattern. (If doing this early in the year, they all may need to copy the adult’s pattern, rather than create one.) But children prefer to create their own and can work together on it if needed.

Use manipulatives, such as Cuisenaire or other counting rods or blocks to help children see growing patterns as well as repeat patterns.