Set up:

1. Use the PVA glue to attach your bottle tops to your cardboard. Attach them in a straight line, either vertically or horizontally. Make sure to leave a small space between each bottle top and some space to attach your pattern boards.
2. Now cut come strips of paper the same length as your cardboard.
3. Using your coloured markers draw your first pattern. I like to draw some large spots- basic, easy and represents the pom-poms well. Keep in mind the spots you draw on the pattern board should line up with the bottle caps.
4. Repeat the above step until you have drawn a few pattern cards to choose from.
5. Now, laminate your pattern boards. This is an optional step but recommended for durability.
6. Now using a key ring loop, attach the boards to your cardboard playing cards.
7. Put some pom-poms in a bowl or container, add the tongs.
8. Now set up your game on a table or rug area to play. Set the pom-pom bowl and place it next to the playing card and you are ready.

How to play:

1. Encourage your child to choose a pattern card and look at the pattern. Ask them to point to each coloured spot and say the colour they see. For example, “yellow, pink, yellow, pink”.
2. Now encourage your child to use the tongs and recreate the pattern, one pom-pom in each bottle top. Now ask them to repeat what they see. Does their pattern match the pattern card?

Note: If your child is not up to using some tongs, just encourage them to use their fingers instead.

3. Now choose another card and repeat the steps above. How did you go?
4. Continue to work your way through the pattern cards, do one or do all- have fun and let us know how you went in the comments below.

Extension ideas:

1. Ask your child to look at the pattern and point to each coloured spot and see the colour they see. Then ask them what comes next. I would encourage you to repeat the pattern they saw and add some anticipation your voice to prompt them to tell you what comes next. For example, “red, blue, red, blue, …..?”. You might have to do this a few times and point to the cards to help them recognise and follow the pattern.
2. Make some pattern boards that have predictable patterns but leave one spot blank to encourage the child to find the missing piece. For example, “Pink, Yellow, Pink, ……, Pink”
3. For older children or those who have established the above skills, you could encourage them to make and design their own patterns. Give them some paper and ask them to challenge themselves, or others with a pattern.
4. Try patterning with different objects. Perhaps you have some shapes or blocks at home? Perhaps you could try using familiar toys, for example “car, teddy, car, teddy”.