KindergartenActivityMath15–20 minutes

Pattern Parade

Skill taught: Identifying, extending, and creating AB and ABC patterns

A kindergarten math activity that builds early pattern recognition skills through colorful, hands-on sorting and extending challenges.

Subject

Math

Type

Activity

Free printable
Time

15–20 minutes

Estimated

Materials Needed

  • β€’Printed activity pages
  • β€’Pencil
  • β€’Crayons
  • β€’Optional: pattern blocks or colored tiles

Directions

  1. 1.Identify the pattern unit (the part that repeats) before extending.
  2. 2.Say the pattern aloud: "red, blue, red, blue" β€” hearing the pattern reinforces seeing it.
  3. 3.Extend each pattern by at least 4 more elements.
  4. 4.Create your own pattern using the blank pattern strip.
  5. 5.Challenge: create a pattern using sounds, movements, or household objects.

Parent Teaching Tip

Patterns are the foundation of algebraic thinking. When your child identifies the repeating unit in a pattern, they are doing the same thinking that underlies variables and functions in middle school math.

Skill Progression

Prerequisite skill

Sorting objects by one attribute (color, shape, size)

This resource

Pattern Parade

Next skill

Growing patterns and number patterns

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