Printable pattern cards for loose parts play

Let’s use these printable pattern cards and loose parts to explore line, pattern, shape, fractions, and symmetry as part of a hands-on invitation to create with math.

 

 

Printable pattern cards for loose parts play

You can use these printable pattern cards and loose parts to:

:: simply follow the lines, developing fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination as you carefully place the pasta pieces

:: work on repeating patterns, along a line or around a shape

:: get to know shapes, exploring the form of squares, triangles, and circles, and the negative space inside and outside their outlines

:: create pretty patterns to fill the shapes

 

 

:: create mandalas in concentric circles

:: explore fractions, filling halves or quarters of the shapes with different loose parts

:: explore symmetry, as you match one patterned side of a square with another

 

 

:: develop into radial symmetry, creating a pattern that radiates from the centre point of the circle

:: you can also use the candy cane pasta pieces to form stripy letters and numbers

 

How to set up this loose parts invitation to create

 

Materials needed:

:: line and shape pattern cards from the Candy Cane Unit

:: red and white pasta pieces

:: other loose parts such as buttons, bottle tops, gems, paperclips or mini erasers (optional)

 

 

 

Print the pattern cards from the Candy Cane Unit and set them out with a selection of red and white pasta.

You can colour the pasta by placing it in a plastic food bag and adding a squirt of white or red paint.

Shake the bag until all the pasta is covered, then lay it out on foil to dry.

 

 

 

The pattern cards include dashed, zigzag, and wavy lines, and circles, squares, and triangles.

From this invitation to create, your children can make their own patterns and designs on the cards.