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Pattern Worksheets for Preschool

8 free PDFsUS Letter or A4Answer key includedNo login

AB and ABB picture and shape patterns: circle what comes next, cut and paste, color the bead patterns and make your own pattern.

Download the patterns worksheets

AB patterns

Circle what comes next in AB picture and shape patterns, or cut and paste the next picture.

ABB patterns

One, then two of the same: circle or cut and paste what comes next.

Color the pattern

Color bead patterns from color words, then make your own.

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these patterns worksheets

A pattern is something that repeats, like apple, banana, apple, banana. Finding patterns helps preschoolers notice order, guess what comes next and get ready for math. These pattern worksheets for preschool start with simple AB patterns and move on to ABB patterns.

On the what comes next pages, children say each pattern out loud and circle the picture that comes next. The cut and paste pages use the same idea: cut out the pictures at the bottom and glue each one in the empty box. On the bead pages, children color the beads that have color words, then keep the pattern going to the end of the string.

The last page lets children make up their own patterns with two crayons. Every page has three or four big rows, and pages with one right answer have an answer key on page 2.

Standards

  • ELOF P-MATH 7Child understands simple patterns.
  • ELOF P-ATL 8Child holds information in mind and manipulates it to perform tasks.

How to use them

  1. Make patterns with real things first: blocks, clapping and stamping, or red and blue cups.
  2. Read each row out loud together, like a chant: apple, banana, apple, banana, what comes next?
  3. Start with the AB pages, then try ABB once children can finish AB patterns on their own.
  4. On the bead pages, color the crayons first, then color the beads that have words.
  5. Use the cut and paste pages when scissors are out. The what comes next pages are the same skill with no cutting.

Teaching tips

  • Saying the pattern out loud is the best help. Children hear the pattern before they see it.
  • If a child is stuck, cover all but the last part of the pattern and say it again.
  • ABB patterns are harder because the B repeats. Clap once for A and twice for B.
  • Praise any real pattern on the make your own page, even a very simple one.
  • The pictures have no labels. Name them together before starting.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What patterns should preschoolers learn?

Start with AB patterns, like red, blue, red, blue. When those are easy, try ABB patterns, like red, blue, blue. Kindergarten adds AAB and ABC patterns.

How do you teach patterns to a preschooler?

Build patterns with blocks, beads or claps, and say them out loud. Then ask what comes next. These worksheets use the same steps on paper.

Do these pattern worksheets have answer keys?

Yes. Every page with one right answer has an answer key on page 2. The make your own pattern page does not need one.