Growing patterns for young children

Quick answer

Patterns that grow are sequences where each step gets bigger or increases in some way. You can see growing patterns in towers, staircases, and even in nature.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to spot, copy, and create growing patterns using objects, drawings, or numbers.

• You can identify a pattern that gets bigger.
• You can continue a growing pattern.
• You can make your own growing pattern with blocks or drawings.
• You can explain how your pattern grows.

Why this matters

Learning about growing patterns helps you understand how things change and grow over time. This skill is useful in many areas:

• When you play games, you might notice the score goes up each round.
• When you build with blocks, you might make a tower that gets taller.
• When you cook, you might add more ingredients each time you make a recipe.
• When you read stories, you might see how characters grow or how events get more exciting.

Recognising growing patterns helps you predict what comes next and understand how things develop.

How it works

Let’s learn how growing patterns work step by step:

1. Look at a sequence of things, like blocks or shapes.
2. Count how many there are in each step.
3. Notice how the number changes from one step to the next.
4. Find the rule – how does it grow?
5. Use that rule to predict what comes next.

For example, if you have a pattern like 1 block, 2 blocks, 3 blocks, 4 blocks, the rule is that you add one more block each time.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some growing patterns in real life and with objects:

Example 1: Staircase pattern

Imagine you are building a staircase with blocks:

• Step 1: 1 block
• Step 2: 2 blocks
• Step 3: 3 blocks
• Step 4: 4 blocks

Each step has one more block than the last. This is a growing pattern!

Example 2: Tower pattern

Now imagine stacking blocks to make a tower:

• Level 1: 2 blocks
• Level 2: 4 blocks
• Level 3: 6 blocks
• Level 4: 8 blocks

This pattern grows by adding 2 blocks each time.

Example 3: Drawing pattern

Try drawing shapes in a pattern:

• Step 1: 1 circle
• Step 2: 2 triangles
• Step 3: 3 squares
• Step 4: 4 stars

Each step adds one more shape, and the shapes change too!

Example 4: Animal pattern

Think of animals in a pattern:

• 1 dog
• 2 cats
• 3 birds
• 4 fish

This pattern grows by adding one more animal of a different type each time.

Try it as a mini adventure

Let’s go on a pattern-building adventure!

Adventure: Build a Growing Tower

You are a builder in a magical land. You need to build a tower that gets taller each time. Here’s your challenge:

1. Start with 1 block at the bottom.
2. Add 1 more block on top of that.
3. Add 1 more block on top of that.
4. Add 1 more block on top of that.
5. How many blocks are in your tower now?
6. What would the next step look like?

Now try to make your own pattern with different shapes or objects. How does it grow?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking the pattern is the same each time.
• Why it happens: You might not notice that each step is different.
• Fix: Count or look carefully at each step to see how it changes.

• Mistake: Not understanding how the pattern grows.
• Why it happens: You might not see the rule that makes it bigger.
• Fix: Ask yourself: "What is happening to the number or shape each time?"

• Mistake: Drawing the wrong shape or number.
• Why it happens: You might get confused about the next step.
• Fix: Look back at the pattern and count again to make sure.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child explore growing patterns in fun and easy ways:

• Play together: Use toys or blocks to make patterns and ask your child to continue them.
• Look around: Point out growing patterns in nature, like flowers blooming or trees growing taller.
• Ask questions: "What comes next?" or "How does it grow?" helps your child think.
• Use real life: Cooking, building, or even counting steps can show growing patterns.
• Don’t worry: It’s okay if your child makes mistakes. They are learning!

Keep the fun going by making patterns with shapes, numbers, or even sounds!

Practice questions

1. What comes next in this pattern: 1, 2, 3, 4, ?
2. Continue this pattern: 2, 4, 6, 8, ?
3. Draw a pattern that grows: 1 triangle, 2 circles, 3 squares, ?
4. How many blocks are in the 5th step of this pattern: 1, 2, 3, 4, ?
5. What is the rule for this pattern: 1, 3, 5, 7, ?

Answers:

1. 5
2. 10
3. 4 triangles
4. 5 blocks
5. Add 2 each time

FAQ

What is a growing pattern?

A growing pattern is a sequence where each step increases in some way, like more blocks, more shapes, or more numbers.

Why are growing patterns important?

They help children learn to predict and understand how things change over time. This skill is useful in maths, science, and everyday life.

How can I practice growing patterns at home?

You can use toys, blocks, drawings, or even your fingers to make and continue growing patterns. Try asking “What comes next?”

Can growing patterns be in numbers?

Yes! Numbers can grow in patterns too, like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 2, 4, 6, 8.

What if my child finds it hard to see the pattern?

Encourage them to count or draw each step. It helps to talk through each part and ask guiding questions.