Let’s take a trip to the aquarium to discover the ocean life we normally would not see. Who wouldn’t love to spend the day watching sharks swim, tropical fish flutter, and whales wade around? This printable ocean animal pattern block activity for preschool is a great way to start the conversation about some of the animals that live in parts of the ocean that your kids may never see. Working on fine motor skills, visual discrimination and identifying shapes are also great bonuses for this fun preschool activity. Perfect for an ocean theme in preschool!
Ocean Pattern Block Designs
block patterns for preschoolers
Fine motor skills development will help children complete tasks like zipping coats, using a fork, and reading a book.
Using ocean activities with your preschoolers is a great way to teach them about the world outside of their little bubble. Most preschoolers don’t understand the concept of a city or state, let alone the fact that there are entire oceans that separate them from other parts of the world.
Aside from learning about different sea creatures, your preschooler will get practice flipping, turning, and pinching the pattern block pieces.
Share these ‘fin’tastic (you see what I did there?) pattern block templates in an ocean discovery center, with a water filled sensory bin, or really anytime throughout the day. Plus, these free pattern block templates are a great way to get kids interacting with shapes and spatial opportunities.
In addition to learning about fine motor skills here are some questions to ask your kiddos using the Ocean Animal Pattern Block Templates:
- What shape do you think we will use the most of? Why?
- Why do you think all of these animals live in the ocean?
- What other kind of animals and plants do you think we would find in the ocean?
- What do you think whales eat?
What Can Preschoolers Learn Using Pattern Blocks?
DISCOVERING PATTERNS AND SHAPES
PLAYING WITH PATTERN BLOCK PICTURES HELPS WITH VISUAL DISCRIMINATION AND IDENTIFYING SHAPESA AND PATTERNS.
Visual Discrimination
- Which picture is different?
- Mark the shapes that you use.
- Matching pattern block pieces to the image on the mat
Visual Scanning Strength
- Scan the image to find the matching pattern block pieces
- Scan the set of three images to find which picture does not match
- Scan the shape images at the bottom of the page and the ocean animal image to find matching shapes
Why Is It Important For Kids To Play With Pattern Blocks?
Besides the fact that kids love hands on activities, there are so many other reasons you should play with fun shapes:
How To Use The Ocean Pattern Blocks Printable:
Pattern blocks math
This activity is so easy to create and set up. Simply use a color printer to print the pattern block mats.
Laminating or using a plastic sleeve can extend the life of your printables.
It may be beneficial to first model how to use the activity with your child. Provide them with pattern blocks and encourage them to circle the differences between the ocean animal pictures. Your preschooler can also use the dry erase marker to mark off the shapes they used to complete the pattern block animal.
Other Ways To Use The Printable Pattern Block Templates:
I Spy
Use this printable alongside an ocean unit and this too cute Ocean I Spy activity.
Go Off the Grid
Have your preschooler create their own ocean animal or plant using the pattern blocks and their own creativity. No template needed.
Let’s Add Some Math
Pick up that dry erase marker and have your little fishy write down the number of shapes they used to create the animal.
Our Favorite Ocean Animal Books:
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:
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Inky the Octopus: The Official Story of One Brave Octopus’ Daring Escape (Includes Marine Biology Facts for Fun Early Learning!)Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist (Women in Science Books, Marine Biology for Kids, Shark Gifts)
Where the Ocean Meets the Sand
Watercolor with Me in the Ocean
Ocean Friends – Touch and Feel Board Book – Sensory Board Book
Hello, World! Ocean Life
Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef
The Ocean (Touch and Explore) (Touch and Explore, 1)
Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea
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