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Patterns - EYFS / Early Years Activities, Displays and Ideas
Sections on this page:
Free sample resources
Key ‘Pattern’ resources
Pattern and ‘Development Matters’
Relevant pages you may be interested in - Shapes - Symmetry - Using Shapes for Tasks - STEM - Mathematics - Construction
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Free Pattern Resources
(Click on the images below to find out more)
Challenge cards for children to use with building blocks such as Duplo and Lego. Children to look closely at the pattern on the cards and attempt to copy them with the blocks.
Ideal for observation skills, consolidating colour knowledge, fine motor control development and communication and language e.g. describing patterns/colours and discussing similarities and differences.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Use these fine motor butterfly sheets once for pencil control practise or laminate and encourage children to take it in turns with whiteboard pens to practise making the different shapes.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Set of 10 Christmas Jumper themed puzzles each with 2 parts. Ideal for our youngest children in order for them to begin to spot similarities and differences, recognise patterns and colours and solve problems involving observational skills.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Please note that both Editable (docx file) and non-editable (pdf file) versions are available for ‘Pattern’ resources. (Editable files require Microsoft Word to work at optimum level and Non-Editable files require a pdf viewer.)
Click on the thumbnail images below for further details…
Key ‘Pattern’ resources
These cards are intended to be cut and laminated before being given as a pattern making challenge in the outdoor area.
Encourage the children to look at the card patterns and try to recreate them using real life elements that are found or provided.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These ‘Pirate’ themed repeating pattern sheets can be laminated for a repeatable activity (tokens to fill in the blanks on last page) or simply printed for individual children to either draw their answers or use as a ‘cut and stick’ activity.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards/mats are intended to inspire children to use natural, beach items to create pictures.
It is not intended for these representations to be copied exactly; any combination of natural resources will do!
Keywords: beach, natural, lose parts, artwork, pictures, images, starfish, seagull, cockle shell, crab, sand, art
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These cards are intended to be cut and laminated before being given as a pattern making challenge using beach items/loose parts.
Encourage the children to look at the card patterns and try to recreate them using real life elements that are found or provided. Great activity for looking closely at similarities and differences!
Keywords: repeating pattern, natural, loose parts, shell, limpet, whelk, observation, activities, activity
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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<<-BACK TO ‘BEACH SCHOOL’ MENU
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<<-BACK TO ‘OUTDOOR MATHS’ MENU
These cards are intended to be used as a stimulus for making shapes with natural materials on the beach.
Extensions could include asking what other shapes the children could make or what other materials could they use.
Keywords: shape, artwork, natural, loose part, items, materials, prompt, activities, activity, poster, cards, circle, triangle, square, shell, rock, stone, pebble, seaweed
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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<<-BACK TO ‘BEACH SCHOOL’ MENU
<<-BACK TO ‘AT THE SEASIDE’ MENU
<<-BACK TO ‘OUTDOOR MATHS’ MENU
These cards are intended to be cut and laminated before being given as a pattern making challenge.
Encourage the children to look at the card patterns and try to recreate/continue them using the character cards provided. Two different sizes within pack.
Also perfect for learning about halloween! (Includes witch, werewolf, skeleton, pumpkin & mummy.)
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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This set of 16 ‘Exploring Shape: Activity Inspiration Cards’ is intended to give quick inspiration for fun and effective activities to support learning about shape in the early years.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Challenge cards for children to use with building blocks such as Duplo and Lego. Children to look closely at the pattern on the cards and attempt to copy them with the blocks. Ideal for observation skills, consolidating colour knowledge, fine motor control development and communication and language e.g. describing patterns/colours and discussing similarities and differences.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
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Pattern matching cards with a variety of edges to aid self-correcting by the children. Encourages close observation of shapes and colours.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Sound cards with individual imagery and lettering to enable quick recognition in pre-reading children. The cards are designed to encourage the children to have fun exploring vocal sounds they could use to make distinct sounds for each one. Alternatively you could explore objects in the world around which may make these sounds. Once sounds have been assigned to each card, games can be played such as ‘Call and Response’ where an adult may hold up the card to create the sound and the children copy. With the most engaged children you may wish to make more than one sound to create a rhythmic pattern for the children to copy and then encourage them to investigate their own rhythmic patterns!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These card templates have detailed outlines to be used as a starting point for an art activity.
The children must think about which card they think their friend/family member will like best before colouring it for them.
The outlines can be coloured, painted, or collaged to create an individual card design.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These templates have detailed outlines to be used as a starting point for an art activity.
The children must think about which card they think their friend/family member will like best before colouring it for them.
The outlines can be coloured, painted, or collaged to create an individual poster design.
They could be stuck to a folded piece of A3 card to make a large card!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Print and laminate these sheets to create re-useable playdough mats. Children will love playing with playdough to create these patterns using and refining fine motor skills and colour recognition.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Set of 10 Diwali pattern puzzles each with 2 parts. Ideal for our youngest children in order for them to begin to spot similarities and differences, recognise patterns and colours and solve problems involving observational skills.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Set of 10 Diwali pattern puzzles each with 2 parts. Ideal for our youngest children in order for them to begin to spot similarities and differences, recognise patterns and colours and solve problems involving observational skills.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Our Diwali themed colouring sheets pack includes Diva lamp, Lanterns/lights, Rangoli patterns, Diwali sweets, Fireworks and Mehndi patterns.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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A set of cards showing Diwali rangoli patterns and lanterns with an optional tab which can be folded before lamination for extra strength and to obscure the face of the card when turned over. These cards are designed for the purpose of playing a ‘Picking up Pairs’ memory game to match the pairs, however they may be used in other ways such as part of displays, feely bag activities, etc.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Diwali pattern matching cards with a variety of edges to aid self-correcting by the children. Encourages close observation of shapes and colours.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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High contrast black and white egg images ideal for the very young. Designed for young babies, these images will intrigue your littlest ones. They will love to explore the variety of patterns.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Use this Egg template however you like! Use loose parts to create a work of art, collage materials developing cutting and sticking skills, pencils, crayons, chalk, make patterns or practise writing. Have fun!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Set of 28 cards consisting of matching pairs to create 14 eggs. The design on each egg is either a plain colour or a pattern. Use appropriate cards for your children in an invitation to play or adult led activity. These cards may be used in a number of ways. Placed facing up on a table, children can simply match up the pairs placing them next to each other or alternatively, they may want to collect them as they go. A further challenge could be a memory and turn taking game of ‘Picking up Pairs’. The cards are made with a tab which can be folded before lamination in order to strengthen the final product. This also means that when turned over, the pattern on the front can not be seen.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Challenge your children to continue these repeating patterns. Why not use finger painting, stamps, loose parts or simply use colouring pencils or crayons? Blank sheets included for you or your children to create your own repeating patterns.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Set of 11 firework explosion puzzles each with 2 parts. Ideal for our youngest children in order for them to begin to spot similarities and differences, recognise patterns and colours and solve problems involving observational skills.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
DOWNLOAD EDITABLE (DOCX)
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Print and laminate these sheets to create re-useable playdough mats. Children will love playing with playdough to create these patterns using and refining fine motor skills and colour recognition.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Firework explosion themed size ordering pictures. Intended to be cut out (and ideally laminated) for use by children in repeatable size ordering activities. If you have access to a fuzzy felt board, why not stick velcro tabs on the back so that children can move them around on the board? Alternatively use them as a cut and stick activity (to also strengthen fine motor skills) for the children to take home and discuss with their families using words such as ‘small, smaller, smallest, big, bigger, biggest’.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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These endless puzzles are perfect to show the cyclic nature of life cycles. For example in the first instance the frog puzzle may be placed in the order ‘frogspawn’, ‘tadpole’, ‘froglet’ and then ‘frog’. To demonstrate to children that the frog then lays frogspawn, the ‘frogspawn’ piece may be brought to connect with the ‘frog’ piece at the end and thus continuing the cycle. This process can continue for as long as you like, bringing the ‘tadpole’ piece to then end and then the ‘froglet’ piece and so on!
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN THEM), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Use these fine motor butterfly sheets once for pencil control practise or laminate and encourage children to take it in turns with whiteboard pens to practise making the different shapes.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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Use these fine motor Spring leaf sheets once for pencil control practice or laminate and encourage children to take it in turns with whiteboard pens to practise making the different shapes.
Original artwork drawn by Sara Murphy and final digital resources created by Stuart Murphy. COPYRIGHT ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES HOUSED ON THIS WEBSITE IS HELD BY ‘LITTLE OWLS RESOURCES’. OUR RESOURCES (INCLUDING THE IMAGES WITHIN OUR RESOURCES), CANNOT BE SHARED OR SOLD COMMERCIALLY.
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🦔 Introduce a moment of calm into your autumn topic with our wonderful Autumn: Mindfulness Colouring Hedgehogs! This peaceful printable resource is perfect for EYFS and KS1 children…
🍁 This peaceful printable resource is perfect for EYFS and KS1 children, providing a fantastic way to support fine motor skills, concentration, and emotional well-being through a relaxing and creative activity…
🍂 Add a touch of peaceful, autumnal fun to your learning with our wonderful Autumn: Fine Motor Control Leaves! This delightful printable resource is perfect for EYFS children, providing a calm and creative…
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Bring the festival of light to your classroom with our wonderful FREE 'Happy Diwali!' Banner & Borders Display Pack! This fantastic printable pack is perfect for EYFS and KS1 classrooms, offering…
This delightful printable pack is perfect for EYFS and KS1 children, offering a fun and creative way to learn about the symbols, traditions, and vibrant imagery of this important festival…
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Pattern and ‘Development Matters’
Birth to 3
Notice patterns and arrange things in patterns.
Birth to 3 - Examples to support learning
Provide patterned material – gingham, polka dots, stripes etc. – and small objects to arrange in patterns. Use words like ‘repeated’ and ‘the same’ over and over.
Encourage babies and young toddlers to play freely with a wide range of objects - toddlers engage spontaneously in mathematics during nearly half of every minute of free play. Suggestions: when appropriate, sensitively join in and comment on:
interestingly shaped objects like vegetables, wooden pegs, spoons, pans, corks, cones, balls
pots and pans, boxes and objects to put in them, shape sorters
stacking cups: hiding one, building them into a tower, nesting them and lining them up
3 & 4 Year Olds
Talk about and identify the patterns around them. For example: stripes on clothes, designs on rugs and wallpaper. Use informal language like ‘pointy’, ‘spotty’, ‘blobs’ etc.
Extend and create ABAB patterns – stick, leaf, stick, leaf.
Notice and correct an error in a repeating pattern.
3 & 4 Year Olds - Examples to support learning
Provide shapes that combine to make other shapes, such as pattern blocks and interlocking shapes, for children to play freely with. When appropriate, discuss the different designs that children make.
Provide patterns from different cultures, such as fabrics.
Provide a range of natural and everyday objects and materials, as well as blocks and shapes, for children to play with freely and to make patterns with. When appropriate, encourage children to continue patterns and spot mistakes.
Reception
Continue, copy and create repeating patterns.
Reception - Examples to support learning
Provide high quality pattern and building sets, including pattern blocks, tangrams, building blocks and magnetic construction tiles, as well as found materials.
Challenge children to copy increasingly complex 2D pictures and patterns with these 3D resources, guided by knowledge of learning trajectories: “I bet you can’t add an arch to that,” or “Maybe tomorrow someone will build a staircase.”
Make patterns with varying rules (including AB, ABB and ABBC) and objects and invite children to continue the pattern. Make a deliberate mistake and discuss how to fix it.
(Public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.)
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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