I bought this big bucket of pattern block shapes over a year ago because I found them on Amazon and thought they would be a fun math learning manipulative and tool for play and learning that my kids and preschool students would enjoy. It helped that they were only $15 on amazon, and I could buy a big bucket of these colorful shapes for cheap. However, I didn’t use them as much as I thought. I had purchased them without a plan for how to use them and therefore frequently left them in my closet, untouched. I regret that so much now!! After having allowed my own children and my preschool students explore these pattern shapes I see so much learning potential and the ideas just keep coming.
What are Pattern Blocks?
Depending on where you buy them, they can be made out of wood or plastic. The plastic ones are much cheaper, but I also love the sustainability of buying wooden toys and they also provide a unique texture for kids to explore. My experience is with the plastic pattern block pieces I’ve purchased so I’ll stick to what I know about them.
What are the Names of the Pattern Blocks?
Pattern blocks are a set of six shapes in six distinct colors. The shapes are: yellow hexagon, green triangle, orange square, blue parallelogram, and tan rhombus. The colors stay consistent to that specific shape with a bucket of shapes. You’ll never see a blue square for example. All the squares are orange, all the hexagons are yellow, etc. I find this helps the children to learn the properties of the shapes easier and it makes it easier for toddlers and preschoolers to work with the shape as they do pattern block templates and puzzles. Each shape has equal sides except the trapezoid because one side must be shorted to be a trapezoid.
What Can You Do with Pattern Blocks?
Pattern blocks are very versatile in their function. Don’t leave them on a shelf like I did! They’re usable in independent play and exploration as well as structured lessons and materials. Pattern blocks can be used for patterning, counting, sorting, vocabulary, symmetry, geometry, spatial awareness, equivalence and so much more.
Kids can use pattern blocks to create images and creations of their own design, or follow patterns and templates such as these. I love integrating multiple subject and learning goals together so I’ve created pattern block printable templates that allow for exploration of shapes and geometry as well as second language acquisition, counting, and addition.
What is the Difference Between Pattern Blocks and Tangrams?
The oxford dictionary defines tangrams as, “a Chinese geometric puzzle consisting of a square cut into seven pieces that can be arranged to make various other shapes.” Typically, when you use tangrams or tangram puzzles, you only use the one set of seven shapes. The seven shapes is one complete set and all the pieces must be used in each puzzle without omitting or adding any extra. However, pattern blocks are more open ended in the sense that you can use two or you can use twenty as you create a picture, pattern, or puzzle template. Don’t get me wrong, tangrams are super cool, and as a teenager I found tangram puzzles challenging and super fun. I’ve used them in my fourth-grade classroom as well! They are just different than pattern block pieces.
What is a Pattern Block Template?
With a bucket of pattern block shapes and your imagination, you can create almost anything! I have created worksheet printable templates to help you and your kids get started exploring pattern blocks. These printables have colored or black and white shape outlines of the pattern block shapes and sizes so that a set of pattern blocks can be used to copy or recrate the puzzle template picture. On the templates I’ve created, I’ve also included the English, Chinese, and pinyin pronunciation vocabulary of the intended picture. Additionally, I encourage preschoolers to count how many of each shape was used in the puzzle and try computation, addition, or sorting with the shapes.
Want to try out a couple puzzles for FREE!? Click Here to download some pattern block templates and try them out!
Templates are a great way to get started exploring pattern blocks! Lets get those fine motor muscles working and the minds exploring! Check out my pattern block templates here.
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