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P*A*T*T*E*R*N*S

What are patterns?  Some of the phrases that define patterns in the dictionary as relevant to this post are: “repeated design”, “recurring characteristic”, “a model proposed for imitation”, and “consistent trait that serves as a model for predicting future behavior”.

Looking at patterns as a math concept, children are taught to sort or to categorize as early as in preschool.  Separating red blocks from blue blocks or circles from squares.  This separation is a form of patterning.  In elementary school, children are then taught to look for patterns in a string of objects, ex: a turtle, a cat, a turtle, a cat, etc. OR two turtles, one cat, two turtles, one cat, etc. adding a little bit of a challenge each time by mixing up the objects and/or sequencing.

The next stage is to look for number patterns, like counting in multiples of 2 or multiples of 5.  Again adding a bit of challenge here, a “rule” is defined as something that makes the number increase or decrease using the same “rule” each time. For example 1, 4, 7, 10,… where the “rule” is to “add 3 to each number” to get the next.  The example 1, 4, 10, 22,…, requires a little bit more thinking and manipulating the numbers to define the “rule” as “multiply (or double) each number by 2 and then add 2″.  This brings us to upper middle school and high school where Algebra and eventually Calculus is introduced.  The language changes and rule is now called a function and the mind is trained to think algebraically when defining a function.  So instead of saying “add 3 to each number”, we define the function as n + 3 and instead of “multiply (or double) each number by 2 and then add 2″, the function is defined as 2n + 2.

Of course the skill of identifying and recognizing patterns goes beyond the field of mathematics.  Patterning is key in the creation of fabric, tiles, carpets, and anything else that has a designing aspect and repetition to it.  Science majors may study symmetry in a molecule and patterns in space.  A stock trader analyzes trends or patterns in the stock market. Predictions in the field of meteorology, health, real estate, politics, etc. are made based on patterns observed.  Human behavior is analyzed based on patterns in moods.  This list could go on and on!

Looking back at the various definitions of patterns in the dictionary, and the examples above, the common thread is not only repetition but a characteristic or rule that defines this repetition.  And that is the important concept to get across to children at a very young age when teaching them to recognize and continue a patterning sequence.  KidsAndBeyond’s latest app Patterns Match Basic for kids ages 3 to 10, with 6 levels of play, is an app that gets children off the ground with pattern recognition.