Teach your preschooler how to think like a computer programmer with these preschool Fall pattern worksheets that introduce coding concepts.
We are a family that codes and are all at different levels of learning and experience, which makes things fun! With our three youngest kids, we try to do a ton of unplugged coding activities to get our kids thinking logically and having fun!
We recently started teaching our toddler to code with apples and post-it notes! Amazing right?! Don’t believe me? Well, you can find out how to start introducing coding with a simple activity too!
We also love our technology and you can find our big girls using programs like Scratch, Swift Playgrounds, and Osmo to strengthen their coding skills.
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Why are Unplugged Coding Activities Important?
Unplugged coding activities are designed to build the foundation of coding. These activities are essentially games and activities that teach children how to think logically about objects.
Coding activities also reinforce how to break down large tasks into smaller tasks that are easier to complete (decompose) and how to identify errors (debug).
Working hands-on makes coding concepts tangible and unplugged coding activities are ideal for young coders. Unplugged coding activities are pretty easy to setup. We recently used basic coding concepts to code artwork!
Why Teach Preschoolers to Code?
Teaching toddlers and preschoolers to think like computer programmers only strengthens their ability to interact and make logical connections with computers as they grow.
I remember being in school and having classes that taught us to use Word programs in High School! As a child, I had access to these programs and was already writing macros in Excel when I sat down in a High School classroom to learn about what these programs could do.
Could you imagine if every other student had access to the same programs that I did? We would have been doing more advanced things in school than learning about word processing and how to use Excel to create tables for sure.
The same goes for beginning to learn coding. Unplugged coding activities offer parents and educators a unique opportunity to get children as young as 2 started with logical thinking activities without the need for a computer.
My toddler could work an iPhone at 6 months old, so why not teach her coding at 2yrs old? With activities like these, she is well on her way to thinking like a computer programmer, which opens a whole new world of possibilities for her as she grows and explores careers.
As a girl who can code, I want my girls to understand that careers in technology are available to them!
Like this? You’ll also love this: Leftover Candy Corn Unplugged Coding Preschool Sequences Activity
How are Patterns involved in Coding?
A pattern is what you see when the same objects repeat like:
apple, orange, banana, apple, orange, banana, apple, orange, banana.
Computer programmers have to be able to spot patterns in order to find errors and fix them. In order to identify the pattern, notice the general rules for that specific pattern such as “a turkey always follows a hat” or “a pumpkin always follows a cart”.
When you are writing code, identifying patterns helps you to simplify your code by writing loops. Working on understanding patterns is critical in order to move forward to more coding concepts like loops.
This activity is perfect for preschoolers and young coders to start learning how to think like a computer programmer!
How to Use Preschool Fall Pattern Worksheet
This worksheet is available in horizontal or vertical orientations that are essentially the same except for the number of pattern problems that are on each.
To complete the patterns, print the preschool Fall pattern worksheet as well as the pattern worksheet pieces. Cut the pattern pieces out and use them to complete the patterns on the page.
We like to use dry erase pocket sleeves for our worksheets in order to protect them or use dry erase markers with them.
PIN TO SAVE THIS PRESCHOOL UNPLUGGED CODING ACTIVITY!
Preschool Fall Activities
Find more fall activities for preschoolers!
Fall STEAM Lessons by Age: Printable STEAM Schedule
Grab this free printable Fall STEAM Lessons for toddlers, preschoolers, elementary, and middle school kids.
Chalk Pastel Leaf Rubbings STEAM Activity
We created leaf rubbings to learn about and capture the nature of leaves as well as explore how our chosen medium interacted with different papers.
Fall I SPY Worksheets for Preschoolers
These Fall I SPY worksheets for preschoolers and toddlers are a great way to work on counting skills this Halloween season!
Dancing Cranberries Fall Preschool Science Experiment
Experiment with dancing cranberries with this super simple preschool science activity while observing concepts like floating and sinking.
Pumpkin Balance Stack STEAM Challenge
This pumpkin balance activity is great for kids of all ages! Can you complete the Balancing Pumpkins STEAM Challenge? How many pumpkins can you stack?
Exploding Pumpkin STEAM Challenge: 4 Explosive Pumpkin Activities
Take on the exploding pumpkin STEAM challenge with 4 different ways to explode a pumpkin with chemical reactions and force! These activities are sure to inspire some fall STEAM fun!
How to Make Preschool Pumpkin Art with Cotton Swabs
Learn about resist art and make preschool pumpkin art with paper, paint, and cotton swabs!
Explore the 5 Senses with this Preschool Pumpkin Science Activity
This 5 senses preschool pumpkin science activity introduces scientific inquiry to young learners and helps get everyone excited about Fall!
Learn about Faces and Emotions with this Silly Pumpkin Faces Activity
nv Learn about faces and emotions with these free pumpkin face pieces and have fun decorating silly pumpkin faces with your toddler or preschooler!
How to Make Beautiful Chalk Pastel Glue Resist Art Pumpkins
You can absolutely make beautiful chalk pastel pumpkin art with your kids by using a glue resist art method.
How to Catch a Turkey Storybook Toddler Art Activity
This storybook toddler turkey art activity is a great way to incorporate a fun book with art, work on fine motor skills, and learn about colors.
Thanksgiving Coding Activity: Turkey on the Run!
Find the correct sequence to help turkey escape before he becomes Thanksgiving dinner in this unplugged coding worksheet for kids!
Meet Toni, the Maker Mom behind Our Family Code
Hey there, I’m Toni! I’m a software engineer and Maker Mom that finds my joy in unleashing my children’s curiosity by exploring STEAM concepts with my fantastic five!
When I’m not chasing toddlers or raising tweens, you can find me tearing things up and putting them back together over here at Our Family Code.
I am the owner and content creator of multiple educational websites designed to increase access to STEAM & STEM education with a focus on teaching computer science and coding to kids of all ages!
You can also find out more about me by visiting ToniGardner.com!
