3 ways for children to learn patterns through play
Decorating cupcakes
Three-year-old Big Girl regularly wants us to do baking, and her very favourite baking activity is to decorate cupcakes. When I realised constructing patterns could be a useful maths activity for young children, I figured baking would be a good way to learn through play. I’ve let her use Smarties in different colours to create simple patterns when decorating cupcakes.
Playing with Play-Doh
With Play-Doh being a favourite in our house, I’ve tried joining in to make shapes and encourage Big Girl to recognise patterns in Play-Doh creations. As long as there’s Play-Doh in several colours or shape cutters available, it’s easy to use Play-Doh for constructing patterns with young children.
Making jewellery
When Big Girl was two I understood it would be good for us to buy threading toys for enhancing fine motor skills, strengthening fingers and wrists and encouraging use of the tripod grip. The most popular threading toys have not surprisingly been large wooden beads and strings. Making necklaces can be great fun for girls, and Big Girl loves dressing up with her creative creations. The next step will be to encourage her to construct patterns with the beads when making these accessories.
Related Posts
Review: Money Match Cafe from Orchard Toys for teaching children about money →
Teaching young children to ski →
Making spiced apple and blackcurrant cupcakes with Fruit Shoot →
