Learning to recognize sequences and patterns is an important part of beginning math skills. Even the simplest form of patterning can help a child learn and develop the skills they will need to master math concepts like times tables and addition. There are many ways to help your preschooler develop these skills without spending a lot of money. One of mine and my son’s favorite ways to practice learning sequences and patterns is with a simple repurposed Egg Carton. An egg carton, along with flashcards I made with colored markers, and some various items can be made into an easy DIY Egg Carton Patterning Activity for your preschooler.
Related: Teaching Your Child to Count to 10 in Spanish
You can find the items you’ll need for this DIY Egg Carton Patterning Activity below. To help your preschooler identify different sequences and patterns, use a variety of items from pom-poms and counting bears to shapes and letters or numbers. Most of these extra items I found at either the dollar store or the dollar spot at Target. If you’re willing to spend a little more or you’re strapped for time, Amazon is another great place for learning resources. I’ll link them at the bottom of the post along with my son’s adorable Mickey desk.
I also cut flashcards in half and created my own sequence and pattern strips for most of these practices.
DIY Egg Carton Patterning Activity Materials Needed:
- Egg Carton
- Counting Bears
- Compare Bears Pattern & Sequencing Cards
- Mathlink Cubes
- Pattern Blocks (shapes)
- Pom-Poms
- Index Cards
- Markers
Related: Fizzing Rainbow Baking Soda Experiment
When practicing sequences and patterns, I give my son a strip for each row until he fills up the entire egg carton.
You can also practice creating sequences and patterns by stringing beads or colored cereal—fruity Cheerios work great! You can also use legos, blocks, and stickers to practice patterning. One of my son’s favorite outdoor activities that encourage pattern recognition is hopscotch, which also wears him out real quick—a double win for mom!
Have Fun!
Related: DIY Rock & Gem Mining Activity
What kind of ways do you practice recognizing sequences and patterns with your preschooler? Share in the comments below.
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Hi! I’m Meagan I just turned 40! I’ve been married for 14 years. She is a proud boy mom, happily navigating her way through the little boy years. She met her husband 20 years ago in high school; they got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. Meagan currently helps run a family business with her parents while blogging about her life and love of DIY projects!
When she isn’t chasing her son around and constantly picking up Matchbox cars, she enjoys spending time with her family on a beach anywhere. She also loves decorating and organizing her home, delving into fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating at unique restaurants. She also loves Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.
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