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What comes next?

Strategy card

A pattern is something that repeats, again and again.

  1. Step 1: Point to each picture and say it: "red, blue, red, blue…"
  2. Step 2: Find the part that repeats.
  3. Step 3: Say what comes next.
  4. Step 4: Pick the picture that keeps the pattern going.

Tip: Clap or sing the pattern. Your ears can help your eyes!

Worked example

What comes next?

purple triangle
blue triangle
purple triangle
blue triangle
purple triangle
question mark, the missing picture?
  • A: purple triangle
  • B: green triangle
  • C: blue triangle (the answer)

Why: The color repeats purple, blue, again and again. So next comes the blue triangle.

Your turn

Your turn 1 of 2

The dots grow. How many dots come next?

1 dot
2 dots
3 dots
question mark, the missing picture?

Your turn 2 of 2

What comes next?

green diamond
green heart
green diamond
green heart
green diamond
question mark, the missing picture?

Keep practicing

Grown-ups: Make a pattern with spoons and forks, and let your child add the next one. Parent guide

Next lesson: Analogies: find the link