Patterning with Natural Objects

This was a simple activity that I did with my Pre-K group at the table during snack time.

I laid out the rock then the stick and finally the shell and explained that simple patterns repeat.  Rock, stick, shell, rock stick… What would come next?  We completed the pattern together.

With support, the children started making patterns of their own and had great fun trying to say the pattern as quickly as they could.  Quite a tongue twister.

This final pattern was all their own.  And after they tired of saying the pattern over and over and over again, they created a picture, using natural objects.

"This is the sky, these are the shells and rocks on the beach."