To practice patterns this week, we used candy hearts. I've always walked the students through the patterns and we've always worked together to figure them out. This time, I essentially gave them two different colors of hearts and told them to make a pattern. I was so impressed with the patterning they were able to do on their own. The obvious favorite was a simple ABABAB pattern.

Some children were able to get more complex, like this AABBAABB pattern.

And of course, there were children that were able to get even more complex than that. They are the ones that could make patterns over and over again, all day long. We saw AABAAB patterns, AAABBB patterns, and even AAABBAAABB patterns. I was very impressed!!

After make our heart patterns, we moved into using pattern blocks to make patterns out of shapes. Typically, the preschoolers used the patterns provided to copy a picture. They like doing this and it gives them ideas of what to make.

Well, today, two boys got creative and made a complex pattern of their own. Another very proud moment for their teacher. They really are getting it and really are learning through play!! They don't even know how smart they are, but I do!! And so do their parents!!