Exploring Patterns in Early Learning

Learning shows up in the smallest, most meaningful moments. During this season in our classrooms, children are exploring our Learn as We Grow® curriculum concept of Patterns to help them notice what repeats and what comes next.

Patterns are all around us. From the rhythm of a daily routine to the stripes on a shirt or the beat of a favorite song, this concept invites children to look closely and make sense of what they see. At first, it may seem simple, but recognizing and creating patterns is important work. Children are observing, predicting, organizing, and making connections to support learning across a variety of subjects.

Why this concept matters

Children are natural observers. Recognizing patterns helps them organize information, make predictions, and build confidence in their thinking. As children explore patterns, they begin to:

• Notice repetition and sequences
• Predict what comes next
• Strengthen early math and reasoning skills
• Build confidence as problem-solvers

These early experiences lay the foundation for skills they’ll use in math, reading, and everyday problem-solving. These skills serve children into kindergarten and beyond.

How we bring it to life in the classroom

In our Learn as We Grow® approach, each concept builds on the last. After exploring the previous units of Community, Change, Compare & Contrast, and Cause & Effect, children are ready to begin identifying Patterns. Our teachers guide this learning through hands-on experiences, conversation, and play. In the classroom, you might see children:

• Creating patterns with colors, shapes, and materials
• Noticing patterns in nature and daily routines
• Exploring repetition in stories and music

Children also begin noticing patterns in language, such as rhyming words, repeated sounds, and familiar letter combinations. This supports early reading and writing development. Through simple prompts like “What comes next?” teachers help children slow down, observe, and build confidence.

Try it at home

You don’t need anything special. Patterns are already part of your day! Try these playful ideas:

• Snack time: “Cracker, cheese, cracker, cheese… what comes next?”
• Clap and move: Create a pattern together: clap, tap, clap, tap
• Outside: “What do you see repeating on the sidewalk or fence?”
• For older children: Invite them to create their own pattern using toys, blocks, or movements. Ask them to “teach” you the pattern and see if you can follow along.
• Through shared reading: As you read together, pause and notice patterns in the story. You might say, “I notice this part repeats. What do you think will come next?” Books with repeated phrases or predictable sequences are perfect for this kind of thinking.

These small moments help children build big thinking skills.

The takeaway

When children explore patterns, they’re not just noticing what repeats; they’re learning how to think, predict, and make sense of the world around them. And whether at school or at home, those “I know what comes next!” moments are worth celebrating.

At our schools, those moments happen every day, through play and discovery with the support of caring teachers who guide children as they grow and inspire a lifelong Love to Learn.

Additional Resources:
If you’d like to learn more about patterns to support your child’s early learning journey, these websites offer simple, research-based ideas:

• National Association for the Education of Young Children https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/math
• Harvard Center on the Developing Child https://developingchild.harvard.edu