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: 12-15 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 12-15 Months.

Interview the parent.

Ask the adult about the child’s awareness of patterns in his environment, such as repeating colors in a rug or shirt, a specific design, etc.

The child will seek out and point to specific patterns. She may point to several flowers on a dress, red squares on a carpet, or stripes on a shirt. These indicate growing awareness of the recurring parts of a pattern.

Help early childhood educators and parents understand that awareness of time and sequences of activities are important for the child’s developing organization skills and understanding of sequences. Having specific routine sequences for different times of the day gives the child a sense of security and predictability. She knows what to anticipate and when.