If you thought that a maths activity had to include numbers then you may be surprised at this pre school patterning activity. It’s Montessori inspired but not at all traditional. Enjoy.
When we think about maths, the first thing that comes to mind is numbers right? Well learning how to create patterns is also super important for pre schoolers so I thought I would show you a really simple activity that you can do.
Ok, before someone gasps at the sight of a smartphone in a child's hand, on a blog that claims to have Montessori influences, just bare with me. Technology is here, it's not going anywhere and kids need to be able to master it to succeed in the world. It is also really appealing to children, and that's the point right? To make learning appealing to children. Anyway, if you are apposed to smartphones in toddler's hands then by all means, print out your pictures. But I'm getting ahead of myself. First you have to get making.
Materials
Felt
Cardboard
Scissors
A smartphone or tablet (alternately a camera)
Directions
Just cut some ice cream shapes out of felt – it's easiest if you make a stencil out of cardboard first and use it to draw on the felt. I chose an ice cream because I knew she would love it, you could do anything though.
Now pin a piece of felt to the wall for the background and create a bunch of pretty ice cream combos, five should be enough, and photograph each.
If you want to make an activity that can live on a tray, are anti screen-time or you don't want to share your phone you can print out the pictures.
Now just let your little person recreate the different patterns.
Tips
The less words you use to explain this activity the better, I tend to just do it myself first then say, "would you like a go, you can choose which ice cream you want to make".
If they get them wrong don't correct them, they will get there without your help.
You can create a lesson similar to this with just about anything. A bunch of blocks, some hair clips, shoes… Anything that can be arranged in a few different patterns and photographed will do. But the ice creams are really cute!
You can find more about how we do Montessori here.
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Great idea, Babs! I am definitely going to give this a go with the girls, I think Zee is just getting to the age where she can understand what to do. In fact she surprised me the other day. I was letting her have a go of the iPad and she was playing the Play School app, about Humpty’s birthday. There are simple puzzles you can do, where you have to match the puzzle pieces to the picture to complete it, and I couldn’t believe how well she was doing it, 8 piece puzzles and she was matching each piece perfectly. I’m keen to try it off-screen and see how she goes and this would be the perfect starting point. I could print the pictures off so she can place the pieces over the picture, while Punky does hers as above.
This is utterly gorgeous. I love this idea. I think my kids would love this. Jx
Oh that is way too cute! My kids love felt shapes (so do I just quietly!)
That’s such a great idea and patterns are so so important. When I was teaching, I was amazed at how many small people started school with no idea about patterns. They’re so underrated. Beads are my favourite for patterns. Who doesn’t love making their own matchy matchy accessories?!
I love this idea. I think my little man would love this and might slow him down for a little bit.
Oh cool! The screen stuff is great but you can’t beat the hand to brain connection. Kids learn with their hands so finding a way to get the concept into the concrete world is super important!
Oh thank you jess, let me know if you do give it a go xoxo
Me too! I’m going to make them into
I find it is a really good activity for active little people, the lure of the screen is strong!
Exactly! You can do this activity with anything, lego, beads, pencils, so long as you have a phone.