Nursery World - Nature study

Start a new project on pattern with these activities based on the natural world from Lena Engel By the end of the Foundation Stage, children should have learned in mathematics to 'talk about, recognise and recreate simple patterns'. To achieve this, nursery settings need to initiate a wide variety of practical activities that introduce children to pattern-making.

By the end of the Foundation Stage, children should have learned in mathematics to 'talk about, recognise and recreate simple patterns'. To achieve this, nursery settings need to initiate a wide variety of practical activities that introduce children to pattern-making.

A pattern can consist of colours, shapes, objects or events that occur in a particular order. Repeated visual patterns are multiple representations of one or more images, for instance.

Patterns surround us. We can see them on animal skins, in the ripples on a pond, on fabrics, and on decorations in our homes. However, children are not likely to be conscious of patterns unless they learn to focus on them as they observe their environment. The activities within this project encourage young children to do this so that they can attempt to create their own patterns.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included