The Secrets of Developing Sorting and Patterning Skills

Sorting and patterning are two skills typically taught very early. From sorting toys as children clean up from centers to practicing patterns during calendar time, children are exposed to sorting and patterning in many natural ways. But, some kids don’t pick up on those skills as easily as others. What if you could give your students a stronger background in these skills? Well you’re in luck! Check out these tips and secrets for teaching sorting and patterning skills!

The Secrets of Developing Sorting and Patterning Skills

Teaching math is an enormous task, and with the new changes in adopted state standards the bar for teachers has risen even higher. That’s because there is a lot that goes into teaching math. It’s comprehensive and systematic.

Mathematicians indicate there are five primary disciplines of math that should be taught, which are as follows:

• number sense – the development of a deep understanding of numbers and the number system, to compose and decompose numbers and understand their various relationships
• algebra – the understanding of patterns and relationships, including sorting and categorizing
• geometry – the understanding of spatial relationships, prepositional terms and the properties of two and three-dimensional shapes
• measurement – the ability to make comparisons and order, understanding measurable attributes
• data analysis and probability – understanding data as a means of conveying organized information, the understanding that certain variables affect data

Exclude one of those components and children may suffer in their math skills and experience unnecessary difficulty in learning math.

Developing sorting and patterning skills is just the one of the steps to effective mathematics instruction. It falls under the algebra strand of math.

Following this, will be more posts about the five disciplines of math and how teachers can be sure to include each within their math instruction.

What are Sorting and Patterning Skills?

Sorting and patterning skills involve understanding relationships among sets, how those sets are represented, and analyzing of those sets.

A child who has good sorting and patterning skills can:

• understand patterns, relations, and functions
• make matches
• identify sets
• sort and classify by various and multiple attributes
• compare sets for similarities and differences
• recognize and create patterns

Why are These Skills so Important?

Simply put, sorting and patterning help children understand the nature of mathematics. Not only is sorting and classifying a natural act for children, but children also find it interesting.

Collecting, sorting, classifying, making patterns…these are all great things for children to do because they teach children about relationships and attributes, as well as teach children how rules apply to sets.

And, since math is all about rules and systems, lots of practice and exploration in these skills is a really great thing for those developing minds!

But…Teaching Sorting and Patterning Can be Hard

While sorting objects and making patterns does seem to come naturally for many children, it doesn’t for all. Let’s look at some issues for children who have lower sorting and patterning skills.

Those who struggle with these skills also tend to have difficulty in:

• making decisions
• making judgements
• understanding how new knowledge fits in with what is already known
• coping with things out of routine

How are These Skills Developed?

Like all other math skills, sorting and patterning skills are developed in a sequential manner. Children begin by comparing objects and matching like items. Then they learn to categorize, which is sorting. They typically start with sorting by color, then moving on to sort by type.

Next comes classifying. When learning to classify, children first learn how to classify by naming attributes that allow items to fit within a group, then move on to identifying attributes that exclude these items from a group.

By having a foundation in sorting, children can then move on to the recognizing and creating of patterns, another way to organize. By the end of kindergarten, children should be able to recognize and produce different kinds of simple patterns, such as AB, AAB, and ABC patterns.

What are Some Tips for Teaching Sorting and Patterning?

For success in teaching sorting and patterning, try some of these tips:

• Provide authentic and real-life experience whenever possible.
• Allow for practice and lots of it.
• Allow children to set their own categories or make their own patterns, rather than always giving sets to work with.
• Encourage students to talk about math and explain their thinking, even if their answer is wrong.
• Provide manipulatives for problem solving, rather than pencils and paper.
• Allow time for children to compare their work and work with others.
• Ask leading questions when teaching.

What Else Does Research Say About Sorting and Patterning?

The Importance of Sorting Activities: Why & How: Montessori and Traditional

Developing Early Mathematical Understandings

Related Resources

Color Sorting Center Activity

Developing Number Sense: 5 Little Known Secrets

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Sarah

Sarah is an educator turned stay at home mother of four. She has taught a wide range of levels, from preschool to college. She blogs at Stay At Home Educator, a website dedicated to providing creative activities and tools for teaching in early childhood. She loves Krav Maga, mountain biking, and cooking. See more over on Stay at Home Educator.

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