Growing Patterns with Nocturnal Animals: Free Printable

My 2nd grader loves pattern activities. I mean LOVES them. She’s not satisfied with simple ones like using counting bears, which makes it super fun to teach patterns, too! Last week she was introduced to growing patterns and has been intrigued with this math skill ever since. So I created this hands-on activity to work on creating patterns and growing patterns. The Creating Growing Patterns with Nocturnal Animals Free Printable is easy to prep and allows you to differentiate and use the pattern cards to cater to the type of pattern or patterning skill you’re currently working on.

nocturnal animal pattern cards and growing patterns activity

Recommended Grade Level:

preschool

kindergarten

Early Elementary

Supply List
Coordinating Activities

Nocturnal Animals Pattern Supplies:

Printer/Ink
Laminating Supplies
Paper Cutter
Black Construction Paper
White Crayon
Divided Tray

ice cream patterns printable math activity for summer

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Teaching Patterns to Preschoolers and Beyond

PATTERN ACTIVITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY GRADES

KIDS START TO EXPLORE BASIC PATTERN ACTIVITIES IN PRESCHOOL. THEY TYPICALLY PROGRESS TO GROWING PATTERN EXAMPLES AND COMPLETE THE PATTERN ACTIVITIES.

Recognizing patterns around us is often the first step toward understanding patterns. Once kids understand that a pattern is anything that repeats, it’s game ON!

Patterns can be so much fun to teach because they are everywhere: sound patterns, movement patterns, color patterns, and they just keep get more complex – patterns are awesome!

I love this nocturnal animals activity to teach an important math concept because not only are we exploring patterns, but it’s also an opportunity to learn about nocturnal animals for kids.

A growing pattern is a pattern that grows or expands. Instead of having the exact same pattern the entire way through, it changes slightly with each repetition. The “pattern” part is that it changes with the same variable every time.

A simple pattern might be:

ABAB
ABBA
AABB
ABC

But a growing pattern could be:

A AB ABC ABCD ABCDE ABCDEF
AB ABB ABBB ABBBB ABBBBB

What Can Preschoolers Learn While Working With Patterns?

GROWING PATTERNS WORKSHEETS

SINCE PATTERNS ARE ALL AROUND US, IN WEATHER AND SEASONS, NUMBERS AND LETTERS, THEY ARE VALUABLE TO LEARN.

Working on different types of patterns sharpens our brains and promotes other important skills:

Problem-solving
Reasoning
Visual discrimination/acuity
Predicting

Why Is It Important For Kids To Learn About Patterns?

Children are naturally curious about everything around them. Learning to identify patterns in our world is an important step.

Background Knowledge

Our number system is based on patterns. By having kids identify and create patterns with colors, shapes, etc., they can more readily understand the patterns in numbers.

Predicting

As children begin to identify patterns, then they learn to name them. Once they can name them, then they can extend the pattern by predicting what comes next. Predicting is an important skill in reading, science, and math.

Problem-Solving

Identifying patterns is often key in problem-solving, whether working a complex math problem or fixing a toy/appliance around the house. Knowing how to spot a pattern or cause/effect is important.

Creativity

When kids use hands-on activities to make and explore patterns, we encourage them to not only enhance fine motor skills, but to exercise creativity and appreciation of color, shapes, and more.

Tools you’ll need

Don’t worry about making a special trip to the store. You can get all the supplies for this activity right here. Click the pictures above to get what you need.

How to Make the Nocturnal Animals Pattern Activity

To Prep:

Print, laminate (optional), and cut the pattern cards.

You can print multiple copies if you want to make long patterns, but one pattern using all six cards filled up my dining room table length-wise, so one set can get you far!

To Use:

Use the nocturnal animal cards to make a pattern on the table. Then, use a white crayon on black paper (not required but fits with nocturnal theme) to name the pattern with letters or numbers.

Repeat!

Our Favorite Nocturnal Animal Books for Kids:

We can’t live without these!

Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun activity, take it a step further with these engaging resources:

Fennec Foxes (Nocturnal Animals) Kinkajous (Nocturnal Animals) Wombats (Nocturnal Animals) Owls (Nocturnal Animals) Naked Mole Rats (Nocturnal Animals) Aye-Ayes (Animales nocturnos / Nocturnal Animals) (Spanish Edition) After Dark: Poems about Nocturnal Animals Night Animals Night Animals Need Sleep Too Secret Pizza Party Fiesta secreta de pizza (Spanish Edition)

Sensory Bin

Younger kids will enjoy finding the nocturnal animal cards in the sensory bin. As they pull them out, they can begin to create a simple pattern.

Play With Theme

If you’re really into a nighttime theme, you can use the pattern cards in a dark space with a flashlight so you feel like a nocturnal animal.

Play a Game

Create a partner game where one person creates a pattern and the other person must identify and extend that pattern. Switch roles and repeat.

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Be sure to check out all of the great Nocturnal Animal Posts from the 2nd Grade Blogging Team!

Bat Science Experiments: Echolocation Activities from Preschool Powol Packets
Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals Sorting Activity from Look! We’re Learning!
Nocturnal Animal Report: Hedgehogs from Crafty Kids at Home
Bats in a Cave Sight Word Game from Creative Family Fun