What is an art activity or craft that I can do with my preschooler that will also teach patterns?
I have another fun pattern activity for you today and it is sure to be a hit with your preschooler. I remember doing an art project like this one when I was in elementary school and I thought it was the coolest art project I had ever done. I added a pattern element to turn it into even more of a learning activity.
To do this name art, start by writing your preschooler’s name on a piece of white paper (cardstock or construction paper are best, but printer paper is fine too). Your preschooler can write his own name or you could write it for him. Little Bear did a version where I wrote his name (pictured and no, Little Bear is not his actual name) and a version where he wrote his name (his real name). This would also be a great activity for practicing sight words!
After the name is written, choose 2-3 colors of markers. You could also use crayons or colored pencils, but Little Bear was temporarily banned from markers (because he drew on our kitchen floor with them) and I wanted to end the ban in a fun way. He was super excited to be able to use markers again and assured me that he would be very careful with them and that I could trust him. ;)
I told him that he was going to outline his name several times in a pattern. He first chose the pattern that he wanted to use (pattern here). Then, I showed him with the first color how to carefully outline the name. He continued with the second color, then the third. When he finished his first set, he simply started the pattern over and continued to outline his name. This was a simple way to teach patterns.
As he got closer to the edge of the paper, I showed him how to go all the way to the edges of the paper as if the paper continued. When the name art was complete, he was very proud of himself. This was a great way to practice patterns, but it was also totally different from any other pattern activity we have ever done before. I also had Smiley Man do this activity. He loved it, but he didn’t do it the “right” way. :) He did have fun though and that definitely counts for something.
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No Time for Flashcards, Train Up a Child, Teach Beside Me, 1+1+1=1, Living Montessori Now, In Lieu of Preschool, ABC & 123, Sun Scholars, All Our Days, Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails, Homeschool Creations, 123 Homeschool 4 Me, Teaching Mama.