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Patterns
Star, Bell and Gift Patterns
Continue five ABC and AABB patterns by drawing stars, bells and gifts. Look for what repeats and discover what comes next.
- Age 5
- 15 min
- Medium
- Any group size
- Patterns
Learning areas
Skills practised
About this activity
Children look at sequences of stars, bells and gifts, then draw the pictures that come next.
As they notice what repeats, they practice recognizing patterns and sharing their ideas. It’s a playful way to build mathematical thinking.
Learning objectives
- Identify the repeating part of an ABC or AABB pattern.
- Continue sequences by drawing the next pictures.
- Explain or point to how they worked out what comes next.
The printable
Print
What you need
- Printed activity sheet
- Pencil or crayons
Safety notes
Use age-appropriate drawing materials without sharp points.
How to do it
- Print the activity sheet and gather the materials.
- Show the three pictures and invite the child to name them.
- Read the first sequence aloud and point out the part that repeats.
- Invite the child to draw the next pictures in the spaces.
- Offer help with the other rows if needed.
- Look over the sequences together and talk about what you noticed.
Teaching suggestions
- Say the picture names with a rhythm: “star, bell, gift.”
- For extra support, cover part of a row and reveal the pictures one at a time.
- Accept simple drawings, such as a box for the gift.
- In a group, invite children to take turns suggesting the next picture.
Variations
Easier
Work on one row at a time. Point to the repeating part and offer two choices for the next picture.
Harder
Ask the child to create a new AABB or ABC sequence without looking at the sheet.
Extend
Make a movement pattern together, such as clapping, touching your knees and waving.
Talk about it
- What do you notice repeating in this row?
- How did you figure out which picture comes next?
- What is different about the other sequence?
- What kind of sequence would you like to make?
What to look for
- Notice whether the child points to or names the repeating part.
- See whether the child continues the patterns with the expected pictures.
- Listen to how the child explains or shows their choice.
Picture sudoku
Maze