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Home / Early Learning / Math / Printable Bear Math Patterns for Preschoolers

Printable Bear Math Patterns for Preschoolers

Shared by Mary Catherine 9 Comments

Learning to extend, “read”, and create patterns is an important early math skill. We do a TON of patterning activities in my pre-k class. My bear math patterns have been a hit year after year, so I thought I’d share them with you today! They’re wonderful for a teddy bear theme, or just an everyday math activity!

Bear Math Patterns - Free printable pattern strips for preschool and kindergarten

printable preschool math patterns

Affiliate links included in this post.

My goals
With this activity, I wanted to introduce and explore the concept of patterns. I also wanted to touch on left-to-right progression and one-to-one correspondence.

Materials
Free printable bear pattern strips (you can download them HERE – downloading them means you agree to my terms of use)
Bear manipulatives (they can be found HERE and HERE)
Construction paper (optional)

Bear Math Patterns - free printable math patterns for preschool and kindergarten

Prep
Print out the math patterns, then cut into strips. Place some tape along the back to create long strips, or glue them together. Mounting them on construction paper is also an option.

Once the strips have been assembled, I suggest laminating them. I made my set soooo many years ago, so they’ve seen a lot of “action” and are still going strong thanks to lamination.

Math patterns using bear counters - great for preschool and kindergarten - includes free printable

Directions
Explain the concept of patterns, if it hasn’t been discussed yet. I usually explain that “a pattern is something that repeats over and over.”

Grab the bear manipulatives and model how to use the pattern strips. Talk out loud as the activity progresses, making comments on the patterning process. Be sure to move left to right to show that progression. At the end, model how to go back and “read” the pattern – touch each bear and say the color, all the way to the end of the pattern.

Next, encourage the children to try out the activity. Sit back and observe as the children match colors and make patterns. Encourage the kids to move left to right, although some children might focus on placing all the bears of one color down first. Once the pattern is done, help the children “read” the colors, touching each bear one at a time. Some children might need help with that, of course!

For children who are more proficient at math patterns, encourage them to create their own bear patterns! They can even make their own patterning strips with crayons and paper. Those would great to keep in the math center, too.

How do you teach math patterns at home or in preschool? I think these patterning strips would also be great for kindergarten children who are working on the concept of patterns.

Bear Math Patterns - includes a hands-on free printable

More bear-themed activities from the #TeachECE crew

Teddy Bear Beginning Sounds Picnic by Growing Book by Book
Feed the Bear Alphabet Activity by Mom Inspired Life
Bear Counters Name Recognition Activity by Munchkins and Moms
The Dissolving Teddy Bears: Simple Preschool Science! by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Let’s Add to Ten-Kinder and Pre-K Math activity by Capri + 3
Teddy Bear Preschool Theme Counting Activities by Learning 2 Walk
Gummy Bear Science | Exploring Osmosis with Preschoolers (with Free Printable Science Journal) by Raising Lifelong Learners
Teddy Bear Writing Activity for Kids with FREE Printable by The Educators’ Spin On It

Bear Math Patterns for Preschool and Kindergarten - hands-on free math printable for learning patterns

Filed Under: Math Tagged With: #TeachECE, Free Printable, patterns

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Comments

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  1. Jodie @ Growing Book by Book says

    September 30, 2015 at 8:27 am

    Oh, how do I love your activities? Let me count the ways! You are like a one stop shop for all things fun and developmentally appropriate for preschoolers.

    Reply
  2. Colleen Kessler says

    September 30, 2015 at 9:58 am

    These pattern strips are beautiful! I just adore them. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Danielle says

    September 30, 2015 at 11:38 am

    Your pattern strips are super cute! We love our counting bears, but never bought the pattern strips to go with them. Now I don’t have to. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Amanda says

    September 30, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    Patterning with bears is such a fun activity!

    Reply
  5. Cerys says

    September 30, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    I love these, we don’t have the bear’s at home but a jungle animal set so I guess I will be creating some pattern sets for them. I know that with my older child I could just give the starting set and get him to continue on the pattern with that. Fantastic resources thank you.

    Reply
  6. Theresa says

    September 30, 2015 at 11:11 pm

    I love your bear patterning strips. What a fun activity! We will have to download them and try it out. This is so great for early math skills! Thank you.

    Reply
  7. Clarissa says

    September 30, 2015 at 11:18 pm

    We need a laminator, these sure will be getting a lot of use around here!

    Reply
  8. Alecia says

    October 4, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    I have been collecting ideas for our bear counters. Thanks for these counting strips. My kids are going to love them!

    Reply
  9. The Preschool Toolbox says

    October 6, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    Colored Bears patterning is one of our kids favorite activities! I love your patterning strips – bet your kids do, too!

    Reply
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My name is Mary Catherine, and I love to share meaningful {and fun} learning activities for kiddos! Feel free to browse and stay awhile!

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