Animals display wonderful variations in pattern on their skin, feathers, scales, shells or fur, providing plenty of inspiration for creative activities with children in the early years.
As well as developing children's creative skills, the suggestions below will help children to learn about the natural world and the animals that inhabit it. They will develop children's mathematical skills when they reproduce and copy simple repeated patterns. And the variety of pattern work that the activities offer will help children to develop good observation and concentration skills.
Introduce the theme through non-fiction books, stories and, ideally, a trip to the zoo, park or garden to see at first-hand the patterns on animals or insects.
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