Preschoolers adore learning about farm animals. So as a preschool teacher, I’m always looking for new ways to bring the farm theme to life for them. Just one of the many ways I make that happen is by offering my preschoolers multiple farm math activities, like these farm animal pattern cards.
This post now includes a FREE printable you can download at the end of the post.
Farm animal pattern cards are a quick and easy way to reinforce patterning concepts while learning about a favorite preschool theme. Farm themes are always popular among preschoolers and teachers, alike, especially in the fall when local farmers are beginning to harvest.
These farm animal pattern cards only take a few minutes to prepare. They create hours and hours of learning fun for any young learner who is fascinated by farm animals.
How Preschoolers Learn Patterning
Most preschoolers begin learning about patterns by first learning color patterns. They seem to be the easiest. Usually, they then move onto shape patterns, followed by patterns like the above, animals or trucks.
No matter what the subject of the pattern is, most preschoolers first learn to recognize AB patterns, such as those pictured. This means that the pattern has two parts that repeat. Red, blue, red, blue. Car, truck, car, truck. And ABC pattern has three parts.
This set of farm animal pattern cards includes both AB patterns cards and ABC cards.
Farm Animal Pattern Cards
This post has been updated to include a free printable, but I’m leaving the original instructions in case you want to be crafty. 😉
Materials
- heavy card stock paper
- farm animal stickers
- laminator and laminating pouches (optional but recommended)
To Make Farm Animal Pattern Cards
Cut the cardstock into strips of about 8.5 inches long by 3-4 inches high. Use the stickers to make patterns, saving one of each animal for an “answer card”. Laminate the pattern strips and cards, and then you’re good to go!
Alternative Ways to Use Pattern Cards
There are multiple ways in which to use these pattern cards. The most obvious is to place the answer card at the end of each pattern strip. That’s the traditional way.
Another way to use these pattern cards is to have the preschooler use something like these farm animal figurines make the final match.
If you have multiples of the same farm animal toys, the preschooler could match the figurine with the photographic sticker.
Another way to use the cards is to invite your preschooler to use the answer cards to create their own pattern. If using the entire sticker set, and especially if you use two sets, there will be plenty of answer stickers to make new patterns.
With just one set of pattern cards, your preschooler can essentially explore many different farm theme math activities!
Get your FREE Farm Pattern Cards
Think your preschoolers would love these farm animal pattern cards? They make an excellent addition to any farm themed preschool math center!
Other Farm Math Activities
Looking for more farm math activities? Maybe to complete your math center? Try some of these!
Farmer Brown Has Five Red Apples
This is a favorite song for circle time, but my preschoolers love using these FREE counting mats while they sing along!
Cows All Black and White Song
This song not only teaches preschoolers about cows but teaches counting down as the cows leave one by one.
Farm Theme Old Maid
Don’t get stuck with the farmer! But preschoolers practice visual discrimination, which is basic algebra skills!
Farm Sorting Activities
Have some farm counters? Here are three ways to use them for sorting activities.
Corn Kernel Counting Craft and Math Game
Preschoolers practice counting by adding tissue paper “corn kernels” to their ear of corn, all the way until their ear is bursting with bright yellow kernels!
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I am Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home mama of five! I am the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught range of levels, including preschool and college, and a little bit of just about everything in between. Right now, my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction
[…] with any other new material, the first step to getting children to engage in a farm activity is to give them time to simply explore the counters on their own. I love listening to my students as […]