Showing posts with label pattern blocks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pattern blocks. Show all posts

Monday, June 11, 2012

Pattern Blocks and Preschoolers


Pattern blocks are a great tool for young learners.  They encourage children to slide, turn, and flip blocks while using their fine motor skills. Playing with pattern blocks exposes to colors, shapes, and texture.  I complied a list of some of our favorite activities done with pattern blocks.


 1.Stack the blocks.  Adeline does not like to stack typical blocks but I can get her to stack these.
    2.  Make a train.

    3.  Patterning:  I made some pattern templates to help introduce patterning to Adeline.



    4.  Make pattern shapes in play dough.

    5.  Where is the block?  Hide a block in the play dough and have a child dig through the dough to find the block.

    6.  Stick the blocks to clear contact paper taped to a wall.


    7.  Sort the pattern blocks by shape.    

    8.  Count with pattern blocks.

    9.  Sort the blocks by color.  Here I cut some brown bags down and added a color to the front.


    10.  Matching to the silhouette of the shape.  Matching an item to the black silhouette is more difficult that exact match of an item.  I made these cards by tracing the shape.


    11.  Working some of the great pattern mats at http://prekinders.com/pattern-blocks/.  They have many different mats to print up.


    Tuesday, November 15, 2011

    Pattern Block Fun

    Pattern blocks are a toy that can be used for many years in different ways.  I first used these when I taught elementary school.  They are perfect for the preschool years and up.

    Some of the benefits of pattern blocks are;

    builds visual spatial skills
    helps pattern recognition
    shape recognition
    color recognition
    beginning math concepts
    fun creativity

    There are many different types of pattern blocks.  They come in plastic, foam, and wood.  I own the wood and they have had these over 15 years.  They definately hold the test of time.

    Some ways to use pattern blocks:


    I bought these pattern cards at a teacher store. They are more at a 1st grade and up level.


     I found some cute preschool patterns at http://prekinders.com/pattern-blocks/  .  Adeline is doing the catapilliar.  Also great for fine motor skills

     I used some of the foam pieces for a mat and we matched colors. 
     Ian got creative.  He made a castle.
    I found this tray at the dollar tree - great for sorting.
     Adeline had to finish her time with the light box and her color birds.
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