All About Patterns in Kindergarten

Your students just aren’t grasping the concept of patterns, and you don’t know what to do – I’ve been there! They just need a TON of practice, incorporating patterns in the kindergarten classroom every day. 

Through explicit instruction, and practice, or working them into your day organically, below are some ideas to do so.

What Patterns do I teach?

AB, ABB, AAB, ABC, AABB, and ABCD patterns.

Where do I start?

Start with AB patterns in kindergarten! They are the easiest to grasp, and most common to find in the world around them.

AB Patterns Winter Cut and Glue

How do I explain what a pattern is?

A pattern is a set of something that is repeated over and over again. Patterns can be letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and objects. Give your students real-world examples they are already familiar with, such as stripes on a shirt (wear one if you can!).

What are some activities I can do to practice patterns?

Patterns In Classroom Life

The best time to practice patterns in kindergarten naturally is during transitions – lining up, waiting for an activity, etc. You can do this in the way students line up (hair color pattern, boy/girl) or with activities while you wait. You can clap a pattern and have students copy it, or finish a pattern verbally (for example, ask “what comes next? Red, blue, green. Red, blue, ___.”)

Patterns in Kindergarten Calendar Time

Valentines Day Calendar Cards

I always practice patterns during calendar time! The calendar cards I use have different image patterns each month based on the theme. Each day we review the pattern on the calendar, and I ask my students what comes next.

Whole Group Games for Patterns in Kindergarten

Games are a fun and engaging way to practice patterns! You can also quickly ask students questions related to patterns during your morning meeting.

Some ideas are:

  • Finding patterns on clothing
  • Putting students in order by a pattern (hair color, shirt color, body parts – hand/foot/hand/foot)
  • Take off shoes and put them in a pattern by color or type (laces/velcro)
  • Bring items and make patterns with partners (snap cubes, markers, crayons, blocks, Legos, toys)
Pattern practice with snap cubes
  • Accessory patterns – shoe/hat/mitten, shoe/hat/mitten
  • Clapping games – repeat the pattern, finish the pattern
  • Activity games – repeat or finish the pattern with movement (ex. hop/hop/sit)
  • Stop and Go movement pattern (if you have the space!) – walk/stop/stop, walk/stop/stop

Pattern Centers or Morning Tubs

Ideas for pattern centers:

Pattern centers

Art using Patterns

Apple stamping patterns

Have your students create pieces of art with patterns! They can do this with a variety of materials or art supplies. You can have students glue scrap pieces to create patterns, stamp patterns using a variety of items, create texture patterns, and more!

Technology for Pattern Practice

Online Pattern Games

Boom Cards

  • These have been some of my favourite Boom Cards™ to create! I have sets for the entire year – you can find them all in a bundle here.
Penguin patterns Boom Cards™

Hope you’ve found these ideas helpful!

Grab these patterns work mats for FREE!

Want to pin this to save and read later?

Looking for ideas for teaching patterns in Kindergarten? This blog post has everything you need! Check it out to find out what patterns to teach, where to start and activities to practice patterns in kindergarten math. We can incorporate patterns into everyday classroom life! We can practice during calendar time, whole group games, guided math groups, math centers, morning tubs, during art, and using technology such as boom cards. Grab a free patterns mat available in English and French!

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