Introduction to Patterns
A pattern is something that repeats over and over. Once you learn to spot patterns, you'll see them everywhere!
What is a Pattern?
A pattern is when something repeats in the same order, again and again.
🔴 🔵 🔴 🔵 🔴 🔵
Red, Blue, Red, Blue, Red, Blue... it keeps going!
Look at the pattern above. Do you see how it goes red, blue, red, blue? That's a pattern! If we keep going, what comes next?
Types of Patterns
Patterns can be made with colors, shapes, sizes, or sounds! Let's look at some different types:
AB Pattern
ABB Pattern
ABC Pattern
AABB Pattern
Finding the Pattern
Let's practice finding patterns together!
Example 1
🌸 🌸 🌻 🌸 🌸 🌻 🌸 🌸 🌻
Pattern: Flower, Flower, Sunflower (AAB pattern)
Example 2
🔺 🔵 🔺 🔵 🔺 🔵 🔺
Pattern: Triangle, Circle (AB pattern)
Example 3
🐸 🐸 🐸 🦋 🐸 🐸 🐸 🦋
Pattern: Frog, Frog, Frog, Butterfly (AAAB pattern)
Pattern Song
The Pattern Song (Clap along!)
Patterns, patterns everywhere,
Look around, they're here and there!
Clap, clap, stomp! Clap, clap, stomp!
That's a pattern, don't you stop!
Red and blue and red and blue,
I can see the pattern, can you?
Patterns help us predict what's next,
Learning patterns is the best!
Patterns in Real Life
Patterns are all around us! Can you spot these patterns?
Zebra Stripes
Black, white, black, white
Bee Stripes
Yellow, black, yellow, black
Rainbow
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
Brick Wall
Brick, brick, space, brick, brick
Piano Keys
White, black, white, white, black
Day and Night
Day, night, day, night
Practice: What Comes Next?
Look at each pattern and pick what comes next!
Problem 1
Problem 2
Problem 3
Problem 4
Problem 5
Fun Activities!
Activity 1: Clapping Patterns
Make patterns with sounds!
- AB Pattern: Clap, stomp, clap, stomp
- ABB Pattern: Clap, stomp, stomp, clap, stomp, stomp
- ABC Pattern: Clap, stomp, snap, clap, stomp, snap
Can you make your own sound pattern?
Activity 2: Build a Pattern
Use toys, blocks, or crayons to make patterns:
- Pick 2-3 different things (like red and blue blocks)
- Put them in a line following a pattern
- Ask someone to guess what comes next!
Activity 3: Pattern Hunt
Go on a pattern hunt! Look for patterns:
- On your clothes (stripes, dots, checks)
- On the floor (tiles, carpet)
- Outside (fence posts, flowers, leaves)
- In the kitchen (cabinet handles, tiles)
Draw or describe the patterns you find!
Activity 4: Movement Patterns
Make patterns with your body:
- Jump, spin, jump, spin
- Hop, hop, clap, hop, hop, clap
- Touch head, touch toes, touch head, touch toes
Create your own movement pattern and teach it to a friend!
What Did We Learn?
Great job learning about patterns! Remember:
- A pattern is something that repeats in the same order
- AB patterns have two things: A, B, A, B
- ABC patterns have three things: A, B, C, A, B, C
- To find what comes next, look for what repeats!
- Patterns are everywhere - in nature, music, art, and more!
What's Next?
- Keep looking for patterns everywhere you go
- Make your own patterns with toys, sounds, or movements
- Next, we'll learn about measuring and time!