Our PreSchool Blog

children created and extended their own patterns

Our focus in math during the month of November is patterning.  The children were introduced to patterning last year during their preschool classes and this year the children are creating their own patterns and extending them independently.  The children used different types of manipulatives today to create various patterns.  Some children were still most comfortable doing a simple AB pattern based on color while some children created more complicated patterns based on size or type of animal (using the pet manipulatives set).  Using everyday objects in the kitchen are a great way to reinforce patterning at home.

counting pegs

The children have been practicing their counting with these wonderful counting peg boards.  This activity is great for practicing number recognition and one to one correspondence.  We also talked about the color of each peg.  The kids were using their fine motor skills all morning long as they practiced their counting!

Using a Toothpick to Poke "Stars" into our Number Eight

Number Eight Constellations at the Light Table

Our focus this week is the number 8.  The children sat on the floor, placed their paper on the carpet, and used their fine motor muscles to poke holes through the paper along the lines of the number using a toothpick. This is a prewriting activity which allows the preschoolers to begin understanding the skill of writing.  We began at the top of the number (just as we would if we were writing the number with a pencil) and worked our way around to “write” the number.  When they were done, they took their papers to the light table to see the tiny stars in the shape of their number eight revealed.  This is an easy activity to be done at home with letters, names, shapes, or numbers.  You can give your child a flashlight and help them project the object on the wall!

During the Early 3’s class, Walter has decided to do an activity from the science/math shelf.  For this activity Walter is using the different circle cards to match them to his circle mat.

counting and shape matching with the shape mat

how many cookies in the cookie jar?

Today at our manipulative table, we set out cookie jars with the numbers 1-5 on them.  The kids had fun putting the corresponding number of cookies in each jar.  Here is Eve putting five cookies into her cookie jar and counting each one as she put them in!  The cookies also had a certain number of chocolate chips on them which was good practice for counting.

Today in small groups we used our fine motor skills to string a bead pattern onto our halloween necklaces.  Fine motor muscles are very important small muscles located in your child’s hands that need to be developed in order to hold a pencil properly and attain the ability to write successfully and without difficulty.  Scissor activities also help build these muscles needed to write.  If you find your child having trouble holding scissors properly, holding a crayon or large marker incorrectly, small muscles activities are needed to help build the muscles.  We include these activities into our daily curriculum through scissor “skill” activities, prewriting activities, playdough activities, through the use of stickers (it takes these small muscles in the hand to peel the stickers off the paper), beading, and the use of tongs in the sensory tables and center games…etc.  Click on any of the pictures for other small motor activity ideas.  Have fun!

Reading My Pattern

I did it!

Checking My Work

Stringing a Pattern

We are making great progress in our patterning skills.  Some children have progressed into extending their patterns much further this week while others began making more difficult patterns independently.  We observed some of the children choosing to create their own patterns at the art center this week with the halloween stickers available.  In small groups we used our fall felt stickers to create fun fall patterns to take home and share our progress with you.  We will be wrapping up our patterning unit next week and will revisit it at the end of the year.

patterning independently

introduction to mathematics and sequencing using patterns

The preschoolers had a howling good time today when they used the halloween cards to create different patterns.  We created AB patterns along with AAB patterns. Most children were able to extend the pattern I created, independently.  The next step is for the children to create and extend their own patterns.  We will continue patterning in math through the end of October.  They are doing a GREAT job.  Keep practicing at home…and have fun!  Helpful Hint:  Use the upcoming BUCKETFUL of halloween candy, before you begin to pass it out to the trick-or-treaters, to create yummy patterns (i.e. nerds-candy bar-lollipop; nerds-candy bar-lollipop; nerds-candy bar-lollipop).

sorting ourselves by hair length, shoes by color and frogs by pattern

We had a ball on Friday sorting on our giant math grid.  We sorted our shoes by color and type of closure.  We sorted frogs by the patterns on their backs and size.  We also sorted geometric pattern blocks by color, shape and number of sides.  And for the finale we sorted OURSELVES!  We sorted ourselves by hair color, type of clothes we were wearing (pants vs. skirts), and hair length…Pre-K sorting activities are easy to incorporate into your child’s everyday play. You have so many opportunities to practice sorting with your child.  Your child probably does some of it naturally- putting green blocks together, lining up matchbox cars, or putting farm animals in a play barn. Click the first picture for some other great sorting ideas to do at home.

Preschoolers are ready for many mathematical discoveries. If you provide them with opportunities, then they will learn.  Preschool is a terrific time to lay the groundwork for mathematical thinking and understanding.  One core mathematical understanding is patterning.  We continued to practice our patterning skills today with Halloween Bats and Ghosts!  The children are gaining a better understanding of patterning but it is still a work in progress!  Practice makes perfect 🙂

ABB Pattern

AAB Pattern

AB Patter

ABB Pattern

AB Pattern