Are you familiar with the AB pattern practice? It sounds like a funny name, doesn’t it? An AB pattern is just one of the many patterns we can introduce to our preschoolers. Here is a simple way to introduce patterns with your preschooler at home using a Breakfast Invitation that starts the day with play.
Teaching my preschooler patterns
I first introduced pattern practice to my preschooler around two years old. He was not ready.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
How did I know he wasn’t ready? He was not following me when I shared the AB pattern. What did I do? Put it away.
At three years old, he began to grasp the repetition of patterns, so we started this AB pattern practice. An AB pattern repeats itself—for example, purple, red, purple, red, etc.
After some practice and success, I wanted to share this AB pattern practice I worked on with my three-year-old so you can try it at home.
There are many engaging math activities we can introduce at home through play. Remember that exposure is the goal, and mastery will come with time.
Who has time to search for ideas?
Save with the PDF bundle to have everything you need on your digital device without ad interruptions.
Supplies
Here at Days with Grey, I like to keep activity supplies simple! I carefully select items that can be used for activities such as this and also free play.
Days with Grey participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Plus Plus BIG
I LOVE anything oversized. It makes any activity more exciting, you know? Well, maybe you don’t, but try these, trust me!
White Paper Roll
Where would I be without my trusty paper roll? It’s our all-time favorite and incredible for pattern practice.
Markers
Have you tried these click markers? Dreamy!!
Set up
1. Draw out boxes and color them in.
Create boxes in horizontal rows and color each box with your AB pattern. Make sure you use the same two colors to create the pattern practice.
2. Put the correct amount of Plus Plus pieces alongside each pattern.
Plus Plus pieces are big, colored shapes your child will use to match the same-colored piece to the same-colored boxes. You want to give your child a helping hand by making sure there are the right pieces for them to choose from.
3. Allow your child to begin and complete the pattern practice.
As your preschooler puts a matching color into the box, say aloud the color. This will help your preschooler hear the AB repetition. “Red, green, red, green…”
Each time your preschooler grasps a small object, they are also strengthening small hand muscles and preparing their hands for a pencil grip when they are ready to write.
PRO TIP: I drew dots to show my preschooler how to begin his pattern practice on the left and move to the right.
4. Extend the AB pattern.
Is your preschooler on a roll? Draw extra uncolored boxes to the end of the pattern’s row, then ask your preschooler, “Which color do you think should come next?”
RELATED: Keeping kid activities at home simple and fun is the key to learning!
Importance of patterns
By Kindergarten, children will be asked to make sense of problems, persevere in solving them, and attend to precision.
Pattern practice in preschool will help your children with the concepts listed above later. We can do simple pattern activities to help expose children to math concepts at home through play.
Are you curious how math and reading are trending? Read this NAEP report to learn more.
Pattern practice
Patterns can follow a few sequences:
- ABAB (Red, green, red, green)
- ABC (Red, green, pink, red, green, pink)
- AABB (Red, red, pink, pink)
- AAB (Red, red, pink, red, red, pink)
- ABB (Red, pink, pink, red, pink, pink)
RELATED: Did you know? Grasping small toys such as these Plus Plus pieces also helps improve fine motor strength!
Keep Practicing Patterns!
Remember, preschool is a time to introduce, not necessarily master. Run with the concepts that click. Return to the concepts that need more time later and try starting with this AB pattern practice!
Looking for More Pattern Activities?
Frequently Asked Questions
AB patterns repeat two things. Teach AB patterns by showing the pattern with objects and saying the repeated pattern out loud. For example if I have blue and purple objects I would say, blue, purple, blue, purple, etc.
An AB pattern in math is a pattern that repeats every other color/object, etc.
Use stickers, counting bears, coins, colored paper clips, mini erasers, or colored chips from a board game.
This is such a neat idea! I have been teaching a MOPS class this year, and I think this would make such a fun game for the kiddos. Thank you so much for sharing!
This is a great. I am always on the lookout for new ways to teach skills to my preschooler!
I like this lesson idea a lot. My daughter is very smart at only 2 (will be 3 in 2 months). She knows most of her shapes, numbers to 27, many colors… but she gets blue and green mixed up sometimes. Using this lesson to differentiate between blue and green would be a great start and then move on to the pattern work. Great post!