Looking for and identifying patterns helps children to notice and understand mathematical relationships. This week, after noticing patterns on materials, animals and gift wrap, we focussed on helping the children to continue, copy and create their own repeating patterns. Throughout the day, we have been identifying different structures in the ‘unit of repeat’, such as AB (e.g. leaf, stick), ABC (e.g. conker, leaf, stick) or AAB (e.g. banana, banana, apple). Patterns with fruit, children, cubes, bricks and natural materials have given us the opportunity to deepen our understanding. Some of the children have been able to spot and correct errors in the patterns we have made.

We have enjoyed singing this pattern song too. Perhaps you can make up an additional verse at home?