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How to Teach Patterning in Kindergarten in 3 Easy Steps

Patterning is one of those skills that seem really basic, but can have a big payoff for students! Patterning in Kindergarten helps students make predictions, make connections, and establish critical thinking skills. Patterns are not only a part of our daily life, but are seen in math, language, and more.

I want to share some of my favourite Kindergarten patterning activities that are hands-on and engaging! These activities will help you take students from pattern novices to complete pros.

Introducing Patterning in Kindergarten

When introducing students to patterning, start with a mini-lesson and an anchor chart. On the anchor chart, write the definition of patterning. If you are a fellow French teacher, this is the definition I share with students: une suite est une série ou une séquence qui se répète selon une règle.

Then, immediately move into practicing. Include the first couple of practice problems on the chart. For example, you might start with an AB pattern and have several cut and paste pieces. Have students come up and place the next piece onto the chart.

This makes for a great reference page and example later. You can review the anchor chart throughout the week. As you teach more pattern stems (ABB, AAB, ABB, etc.) include them on the chart.

Here is an anchor chart to help you teach patterning in French to your kindergarten students. In this blog, learn how to introduce patterning to kindergarten students and some fun patterning centres.

Hands-On Practice

Once you have practiced Kindergarten patterning as a class, move into group work and independent practice. I recommend pairing students off and giving them materials for them to practice making different types of patterns. You can use cutouts, manipulatives, mini erasers, and more for students to practice with. Use whatever you’ve got in your classroom!

It is also easy to differentiate this task. The students who are ready to try more complex patterns will do so naturally. Those that aren’t can work at their own level.

Here is an example of a student completing a French patterning activity in kindergarten. Working with manipulatives is a great way to practice math skills and a great patterning centre!

Naming the Core

While naming the pattern stems isn’t a part of the Ontario Kindergarten Curriculum, I still think it’s a great skill to practice with Kindergarten patterning. 

For students who are showing mastery over patterning and creating their own unique patterns, have them label the exact pattern they are demonstrating. This is great vocabulary practice and allows you to extend students’ learning.

Help your students practice patterning skills with this French patterning math centre. Students will look at the sentence stem and finish the pattern using the included manipulatives.

Have fun teaching patterns with this Pattern Mats Bundle! There are four total sets of mats: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Each set comes with 36 different pattern mats.

Students must identify the pattern and complete it using the cards. They can cut and paste these cards onto the mat, or use them mats long-term by laminating and attaching velcro dots. This bundle covers AB, ABC, AAB, ABB patterns. It also includes Google Slides, so it’s perfect  for online centres.

Want to check out the resource listed?

All the links above lead to TPT, but the resources are also available on our website. Here are the resources available here for purchase in CAD. Don’t forget you can also buy credits for an additional discount (up to $15 off).

I hope these activities and ideas make it easier to teach Kindergarten patterning! I share more ideas for teaching primary students on my blog, with topics like number recognition in kindergarten.

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