Pattern Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers

An understanding of patterns and patterning is an important early math skill. Pattern play with felt shapes teaches shape and color recognition, along with patterning, one to one correspondence, and exercises fine motor skills.

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."

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Materials

• Felt sheets. These felt sheets are fairly inexpensive and come in lovely colors.
• Fabric scissors
• Curious kids

MORE: Indoor Activities for Toddlers

Instructions

Cut the felt sheets into a variety of shapes. I started with white squares and circles, blue squares and orange circles, but feel free to use whatever colors and shapes you prefer. I suggest about 10 pieces of each shape.

Reserve one solid felt sheet, preferably black, for the background work space.

Optional: Attach black felt to a piece of cardboard for a sturdy playing surface that can be raised vertically, if desired.

MORE: Shape Activities for Preschoolers

Making Patterns

Demonstrate how to make a pattern to your child. For example, I created a pattern of white squares and circles and my son repeated the pattern underneath.

Alternatively, You can start a pattern and have the child 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.

MORE: Color Activities for Preschoolers

In addition to teaching pre-math lessons, preschoolers work on their fine motor skills. Win-win.

First published 2012.

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