From AB to ABCD
Age 3: two shapes taking turns (AB). Age 4: AAB, ABB and ABC. Age 5: AABB, AABC and ABBC. Grade 1: four-element patterns and growing patterns.
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Teaching guide: repeating and growing patterns
Working with patterns means spotting the rule that repeats and using it to say what comes next: one of the first steps in mathematical thinking and the root of number sequences and algebra. This free pattern worksheet generator makes shape patterns for ages 3 to 6, different every time, with an answer key ready to print.
Student worksheet 
Answer key What changes
The shape, the size, the fill (empty, full, stripes, dots), the direction of an arrow or the colour to colour in. Pick one or leave them mixed.
Four activities
Circle what comes next, continue the pattern by drawing, find the missing shape and cross out the shape that does not fit.
One right answer
Every pattern shows at least two full repeats and is checked to fit only one rule of its level, so there are never two possible answers.
Black and white friendly
Fills are stripes, dots and checks rather than colours, so the worksheets work just as well on a black and white printer.
Growing patterns
In Grade 1, patterns such as ○△, ○△△, ○△△△: children work out what grows at each step to continue them.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pattern Worksheets
Which ages are these worksheets for?
Ages 3 to 6, from preschool to Grade 1. Level 1 is for age 3, level 2 for Pre-K, level 3 for Kindergarten and level 4, with longer and growing patterns, for Grade 1.
What is an AB, AAB or ABC pattern?
The letters show the part that repeats: AB is circle, square, circle, square…; AAB is circle, circle, square…; ABC takes turns with three different shapes. On the answer key, each pattern has its rule written next to it.
Can I make colour patterns?
Yes: choose Colour to colour in. Each shape has its colour written under it (red, blue, yellow, green), and children colour it in and continue the pattern, with no colour printer needed.
What about number patterns?
Number patterns (counting in 2s or 5s, finding the rule) are in the number sequences worksheet generator. Here the patterns are made of shapes.
Can I mix them with other early years worksheets?
Yes. Add exercises from visual discrimination, basic concepts or dot-to-dot to the same sheet and print them together.
How do I print the answer key?
Press Print and choose Answer key (or Worksheet and answer key): the answers are shown in blue, with the rule of each pattern.
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