- Definition
A repeating pattern is like a sequence of items or actions that keeps happening over and over again in the same order, like red, blue, red, blue, red, blue.
A line of blocks like circle, square, square, circle, square, square is a repeating pattern.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A repeating pattern is like a bead necklace where you see the same little group of colours over and over again.
Ask your child: What part of this pattern repeats?
Common mix-up: Kids may think any sequence of items is a repeating pattern. A true repeating pattern has a special part that happens over and over in the exact same order.
Examples
- Making a sound pattern like clap, stomp, clap, stomp.
- Lining up toys like car, block, block, car, block, block.
- A pattern on a shirt like stripe, dot, stripe, dot.
repeating pattern is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
