Patterns are Pivotal

Learning to recognize and repeat patterns is the core of much of human knowledge. Language, both spoken and written, is based on patterns. Math, history, and science are all based on patterns. Understanding patterns and being able to replicate them is one of the greatest challenges and accomplishments for a young child.

A small child recognizes patterns in everyday life, perhaps without even knowing it. They go to preschool for five days and take a break for two days and then return. They know their favorite show comes on with the same tune or their favorite take-out comes in the same box. These are all recurring things they recognize.

Teaching patterns takes this innate skill to recognize things that recur a step further and encourages the child to predict what comes next. This can be seen in the pattern games and matching games so popular with little children. These games rely mostly on vision and we know children learn best with all their senses.

Music plays an important role in teaching children patterns and in turn preparing them for their academic future. Music is pattern; the pattern of the rhythm, the words, and the melody. And if a teacher combines music with clapping, instruments, and dance the patterns are reinforced with kinesthetic learning.

And all this vital learning takes place while having a blast.

Many preschool songs teach a child to count or the names of the colors but the most valuable thing that all music teaches children is the magic of patterns.