The power of pattern Borthwick, A., Gifford, S. & Thouless, H. (Association of Teachers of Mathematics, 2021). ‘An insightful account of the importance of patterning in early mathematics learning that really makes a difference to children’s mathematical development’ (Jo Mulligan, Macquarie University)
This excerpt from the book was published in Mathematics Teaching 278 and is reproduced by kind permission of the ATM.
Developing Pattern Awareness in the Early Years presentation by Sue Gifford for LUMEN
Big Ideas of Pattern The Erikson Early Math Collaborative has examples of children patterning and picture books to use, including growing patterns, and this video of Jo Mulligan explaining the complex pattern of a six year old
Developing pattern awareness NRICH article by Sue Gifford and Pattern Making activity
EYFS Best Practice: All about pattern part 1 and Part 2 Nursery World articles by Linda Pound (2013) for practitioners working with younger children
What is a pattern? The DREME TE website with lots of useful articles and ideas, including Supporting engagement with pattern books.
Articles
Fox, J. (2005). Child-initiated mathematical patterning in the pre-compulsory yearsIn Chick, H.L & Vincent, J.L. (Eds.) Proceedings of the 29th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Vol. 2, pp. 313-320. Melbourne: PME.
Gifford, S. & Thouless, H. (2016) Using pattern to inspire rich mathematical discourse in mixed attainment groups Mathematics Teaching 254
Gripton, C. (2022) Pattern in early years mathematics curriculum: a 25-year review of the status, positioning and conception of pattern in England, Research in Mathematics Education
Rittle Johnson, B., Zippert, E. & Boice, K.L. (2018) The roles of patterning and spatial skills in early mathematics development Early Childhood Research Quarterly 46
Thouless,H., Gifford,S., Moses, K. & James, R. (2020) Reasoning about patterns Mathematics Teaching 271
.