Wrapping
Paper Patterning
This is an easy learning activity to do with something so many of us are up to our eyeballs in right now ! Most wrapping papers are on sale right now and it’s not hard to find one that would work for this project. I made this during nap time but you could easily have your child color the backing , help glue , cut or if they are old enough do it all with little help at all!
- Gather your materials. You will need some wrapping paper, card stock( all the same color), scissors and/or a paper punch , and glue.
- Start by choosing what pictures from the wrapping paper you will be using. I am using the penguin, riendeer and snowman from mine.
- Cut out 3-5 of each picture. Generally the older and more able your child is the more you’ll need.
- Cut out one square of card stock for each picture.
- Glue the picture on the card stock. Let dry.
How To Use Them
- Start by sorting them and labeling them with your child. For them to grasp patterns they need to be able to tell all the pictures apart. If they have a hard time with this, flip the cards over and play a simple “Can you find the penguin…” until they know what all the pictures are. Some kids stay on this step for days or weeks- don’t worry and don’t push, just play and they’ll get it . My son also liked counting them after sorting them into piles.
- If they can identify all the pictures, try a simple pattern ABABA… and see if they know what comes next. I find with really little ones helping them with verbal queues is really important so saying “Snowman, Penguin, Snowman, Penguin…” out loud while they do it with you they will get it. Try another ABABA… pattern. This is the step we’re at.
- If they master that try harder patterns, like, ABCABC or ABBABBA but if they are too hard go back to the ABABA.
- Ask your child to make some patterns too!
MaryAnne says
Great idea!
Andrea says
Fun and a great concept to work on too. Thanks!
Tanya says
How clever you are! Since we are Jewish, I never know what to do with the tons of leftover Xmas wrapping paper we have laying around after just wrapping a few Xmas presents for our friends. Now I’ve got a useful idea. Thanks!!! 🙂
oh amanda says
Good idea! I haven’t tried patterns w/my daughter yet…
Michelle Sybert says
This is a great idea! My daughter’s p-school teacher said one of the things she needs to “work on” is patterning!
Lee Christa says
You’ve been tagged @ http://www.mysentimentexactlee.com/2008/12/shot-on-spot-memei-cant-believe-im.html
Alicia says
That is sheer genius! Do you seriously come up with all these great ideas yourself or do you have great websites/books to recommend?
Allie says
Alicia- After years and years of doing crafts and teaching kids most of these activities are ones I have thought up or adapted and old ones I have used for so long I can’t remember where they are from. If I use an idea I found somewhere, I note it or link to it.
However there are lots of great ideas in my blog roll, many many of the blogs in it have awesome crafts. You should check it out!