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    You are here: Home / Learn / Math Activities / Pattern Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers

     

    Pattern Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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    An understanding of patterns and patterning is an important early math skill. This felt pattern puzzle is a simple indoor activity to make at home and have on hand for those moments with toddlers and preschoolers when this is "nothing to do."

    DIY felt pattern play kit is a great preschool math activity

    Cut up a variety of felt pieces in different colors and shapes. I started with white squares and circles, blue squares and orange circles. I used a plain black piece as a board. (You could attach it to a piece of cardboard for a sturdy playing surface.)

    First I demonstrated a pattern and then New Kid repeated the pattern underneath. You can also start a pattern and have the child simply continue it. Once your child gets the hang of it, he can make his own patterns, or simply play around with the shapes in whatever manner he chooses. In addition to teaching pre-math lessons, preschoolers work on their fine motor skills. Win-win.

    Felt is inexpensive and I use it for a lot of DIY projects. I adore the color options in this pack: (affiliate links)


    Felt creative colors pack

    More early math activities:

    • Math quantities craft
    • Montessori triangles. You can make them yourself and they are much cheaper!
    • Make your own puzzles. Some great ideas for toddlers and preschoolers.
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    « Five Thinking Games for Kids
    Favorite Picture Book Authors: Catherine Rayner »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MaryAnne K says

      July 13, 2012 at 3:53 pm

      Felt is fantastic for activities like this!

      Reply
    2. Rachel @ The Philosophers Wife says

      July 18, 2012 at 12:45 am

      Love this! Felt is so much fun and patterns are so important!

      I would love if you'd share at my Teaching Time Party.

      http://philwife.blogspot.com/2012/07/teaching-time-for-toddlers-magnets.html

      Reply

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