Patterns

Kindergarten Readiness Rocks! Rock Patterns

Kindergarten readiness develops as children play with what is around them, in this case it’s rocks. Rocks are fun to use to make repetitive patterns. A pattern is some objects that are repeated in the very same way. Learning about patterns is not just a readiness for kindergarten skill, it’s a fundamental skill for all learning. Plus, it will help to build higher level thinking, memory, and problem-solving skills. Kids need lots of experiences with patterns and lots of repetition. Patterning will be a skill that kids explore at kindergarten, but lots of experiences will help children develop their patterning abilities. One of their early patterning activities is crawling/walking; left-right, left-right, left-right is a pattern.rock-pattern

Two colors of rocks are easy to put in a pattern: grey-white, grey-white, grey-white. Or, in a color pattern (more or less) like these rocks. sometimes, patterns can have 3 parts: blue-purple-brown, blue-purple-brown. To start, you will need to put the rocks in a pattern and have your child “help” you figure out what comes next. You might need to supply the answer, too. Your child may be able to finish more complicated sequences and make his/her own patterns.

 

Some children catch the idea and some may need lots more fun with patterns before they understand. Just a quick look around your place will reveal lots of patterns; the bathroom tiles, the afghan on the bed, towels, dishes, furniture, clothes and more. Not only are these patterns in items we make, nature is full of patterns, too: butterfly wings, weather, bird migration, beehives, etc. Language has patterns, and music, math, and science, too. Pattern experiences here and there with your child will help  build pattern brain connections. What patterns can you and your child find or make today?

Readiness for Kindergarten – Learning With Dr. Seuss, #5

The Cat in the Hat dishes up some kindergarten readiness learning fun today. Take a look at Cat’s Hat. It goes red, white, red, white. That makes a pattern. Learning about patterns is not just a readiness for kindergarten skill, it’s a fundamental skill for all learning. Plus, it will help to build higher level thinking and problem-solving skills. Kids need lots  of experiences with patterns and lots of repetition.

patterning-snackPart of the attraction of all Dr. Seuss books is the repetitive pattern. The pattern makes the story easy to follow and kids love to predict what might happen next and what they might hear next. Language has patterns, and music, math, and science, too.

Dr.Seuss-snackPatterns help kids (and grownups!)remember. Sometimes, when we have to remember a large amount of information, we use the strategy of noticing a pattern. Suddenly, the amount of information we need to hold in our memory is much, much smaller. The pattern makes the job easier. Being able to notice, figure out and make patterns is a powerful thinking strategy for kindergarten readiness and develops with practice.

This snack has a pattern like the hat. It goes red, white, red, white, red, too. Toddlers might be able to slide the banana slices on a straw but the pieces of apple (or strawberry) may need grownup hands. Have your child say the pattern and tell you what to do next. What other patterns can you and your little one find–or eat–today?

Readiness for Kindergarten – Memories and Pattern Stories

A favorite book of kids for 2 or 3 generations now is The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. One of the reasons it is so popular has to do with the wonderful illustrations of the fuzzy caterpillar. But another reason is the simple, repeating text. Kids can easily follow along with the story becoming very involved, just because they know what is coming next. This is the attraction of a story that follows a pattern.

Patterns help kids-and grownups-remember. Memory is a key strategy for learning and kindergarten readiness. Kids need lots of experiences with patterns in order to develop this memory skill and sharing stories with patterns will help. Some other pattern stories are The Little Red Hen and The Gingerbread Man, which is especially fun at this time of year.

Do you have a breadmaker at home? With your child you might want to make some bread, remembering how the story goes as you mix and knead. You and your child can be the voices of the hen and the other animals. Gingerbread cookies are always favorites. What part do you eat first? Both these activities also engage the senses, especially taste and smell. Mmm! Sensory experiences also promote readiness for kindergarten and smell is a very powerful memory trigger.

I saw a special edition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar that includes a memory game. What other pattern stories do you remember?

 

 

Readiness for Kindergarten – Memories and Patterning

Sometimes, when we have to remember a large amount of information, we use the strategy of noticing a pattern. Suddenly, the amount of information we need to hold in our memory is much, much smaller. The pattern makes the job easier. Being able to notice, figure out and make patterns is a powerful thinking strategy … Continue reading Readiness for Kindergarten – Memories and Patterning

Readiness for Kindergarten – Pumpkins Make Patterns

Just a quick look around your place will reveal lots of patterns; the bathroom tiles, the afghan on the bed, towels, dishes, furniture, clothes and more. Not only are these patterns in items we make, nature is full of patterns, too: butterfly wings, weather, bird migration, beehives, etc. Language has patterns, and music, math, and … Continue reading Readiness for Kindergarten – Pumpkins Make Patterns

Readiness for Kindergarten – H is for Patterns

H is for patterns? H is for house and this month all the blog posts talk about how your house is a learning center for all kinds of kindergarten readiness learning. Patterning is today’s readiness for kindergarten skill. Patterning is a basic skill that comes up in language, math, music, and more. Kids need lots of experiences … Continue reading Readiness for Kindergarten – H is for Patterns

Kindergarten Readiness – Halloween Patterns

This week, while buying both groceries and gas, I saw some spooktacular Halloween ideas. Most of them had some kind of pattern. A spider’s web is a very intricate pattern. A window border with ghost, witch, pumpkin, ghost, witch, pumpkin is another kind of pattern–in a sequence. Making patterns is a skill needed for more … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Halloween Patterns

Kindergarten Readiness – Pirates #12

What is a pirate’s favorite food? Fish and ships! To finish off this series of learning activities, pirates are going to look for treasure in the kitchen. Just in case they need some food for long trips here is a snack idea: a few chocolate ships, oops, chocolate chips, unsweetened cereal like cheerios, raisins, sunflower seeds, cranberries, … Continue reading Kindergarten Readiness – Pirates #12