Pattern Naturally

Patterning helps children with Math, Reading and Science skills by teaching children through:

• Observation: Objects have different properties
• Classifying: Sort objects 
• Prediction: What comes next?
• Manipulation: Sequence of objects
• Ordering: Making sense of pattern
• Communication: Describe and express patterns building vocabulary: What shape, color, texture?
• Math: Count objects. Use simple to complex patterns - rock, leaf  / rock, leaf ; red, red, green / red, red, green. Match concrete objects with verbal expression in patterning.
• Measurement: Compare and contrast objects, using terms length, weight, size
• Sensory/Motor Integration: How does it feel? Which is heavier? Move in patterns: hop on one foot, jump, spin - repeating pattern.
• Creativity: Use objects of interest to child and let them explore using their senses: seeing, feeling, smelling
• Exploration: Objects can be ordered, measured, counted, manipulated, investigated, and patterned
• Spatial Relations: Discuss relations such as in front of, behind, above, below, left-right which helps children navigate around their world. Reading is from left-to-right and from top-to-bottom.
• Recording: Make a chart of one pattern such as apples: how many are green, red, yellow?
• Connection to environment: Patterns can be observed in nature.

We collected pinecones, rocks, "horse" apples, sticks, leaves, guinea feathers, and seeds. Natural objects were used for patterning except for Rigatoni noodles and pinwheel pasta which make a colorful necklace when dyed.  



Recipe for Colorful Pasta: In a zip bag, put 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and at least 10 drops of food coloring and swish it around. Then, add 1 – 2 cups of pasta. Turn bag over occasionally. The longer the pasta sits - the brighter the colors. Dry on wax paper or newspaper or on cookie sheets.Children will learn about making different colors by mixing the primary colors of red, yellow and blue.

Directions for a Pinecone Turkey:

• Glue wiggly eyes on pinecone
• Cut beak by folding small piece of orange paper and cutting triangle; glue on
• Wrap a pipe cleaner over top of cone, pull down and twist forming legs
• Cut two 2" pieces of pipe cleaner and twist around bottom of legs forming 3 toes to help cone stand
• Use a paint brush or pour glue on back of cone
• Push feathers into cone

 Brody isn't sure which pinecone turkey he likes the best - using natural guinea feathers or dyed feathers. We only picked up feathers which had already fallen off the guineas. Proof the guineas are not naked is in the photo - although they did escape by flying on top of the roof.

And just for fun, we made headbands.

"Why are you wearing your hand on your head?"

"She thinks it looks like a turkey!"

Fluffy enjoyed posing in our garden and I made a fall basket for decoration.
What other natural objects have your children patterned?

Would you like more inexpensive ideas, activities, and games on how children learn through play? See my new book, The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn. For a glimpse into Kindergarten, click my Kindergarten book. Both are bestsellers and are also available on Barnes & Noble and Kobo. 

I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do,
and I understand. ~Chinese Proverb

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