Preschool teachers often begin by pointing out various patterns to children. Teachers can illustrate this by pointing at items that have patterns such as clothing items, the bottom of a shoe and floor tiles. Children should fully understand what a pattern is before completing pattern lessons. Teachers can also illustrate patterns on the chalkboard by writing or drawing patterns such as circle, square, circle, square.
Teach patterns to preschoolers by playing a people pattern activity. Tell the children to line up in a pattern of boy, girl, boy, girl. After they line up, have them recite the words “boy" or "girl" down the line. This will illustrate what a pattern is. If there are more girls than boys, change the pattern to girl, girl, boy, girl, girl, boy.
Illustrate patterns through movement activities. To do this, make up various patterns, such as clap, jump, clap, jump. Have the children do this several times. Allow the children to make up patterns on their own to teach the class.
Crafts are ideal to use as a way of teaching patterns. Teach the children about patterns by letting them make bead necklaces or bracelets. Tell them to make a pattern of beads as they go, such as red, blue, yellow.
Use small finger foods with the children to allow them to make patterns. Give them each the same amount of small foods, such as crackers, pretzels and small candies. Lay out a sheet of paper in front of each student and let them make patterns with the small foods before eating them.
Give the children building blocks or shape blocks and allow them to make patterns with the items. Another way to teach shapes is to let the children draw pictures. Tell them to make a pattern by drawing any items they would like. For example, a child could draw a pattern of flowers alternating colors between pink and purple.