Pattern Trains

     The object of this game is to copy or continue a ‘train’ pattern. I like using Cuisenaire rods for this game because of their versatility and potential for gradual increase in complexity– but the basic idea works with any number of materials including pattern blocks, building blocks, Legos, buttons, bottle caps, coins, and so on.
     The pictures that follow are pretty much self-explanatory, but I do have a few general suggestions. First of all, keep it fun– don’t frustrate. Reverse roles with your little person sometimes and let him create a ‘train’ for you to continue. Obviously, don’t use coins or very small objects with very young children who might swallow them. (Note- coins can be washed and probably should be.) And finally, I have found that verbalizations are very helpful to understanding a sequence. For example, a very simple train might be a sequence of alternating red and white blocks. Saying or chanting “red-white, red-white, red-white” as you lay down the pattern helps clarify the intent. Your little person can continue the “red-white, red-white, red-white” chant as she continues the train.
     As train sequences become more complex, not only color and size can be varied, but positioning variations (vertical, horizontal) can also be used.

Red-Yellow, Red-Yellow, Red-Yellow...

White-White-Red, White-White-Red...


 

Purple Up-Red Down-White, Purple Up-Red Down-White, Purple Up-Red Down-White...


 

Green Up-White-Green Down, Green Up-White-Green Down, Green Up-White-Green Down...


 

Yellow-DoubleRed, Yellow-DoubleRed, Yellow-DoubleRed...


 
 
White-White-White-DownPurple-UpRed, White-White-White-DownPurple-UpRed...

 
   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pattern Block Trains


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

More Pattern Block Trains


 
 
 
 
 
 

Lego Trains (More Views of the Same Trains Below)


 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Coin Trains: Dime-Penny-Penny, Dime-Penny-Penny..., Penny-Quarter, Penny-Quartr..., and Penny-Penny-Penny-Penny-Penny-Nickel, Penny-Penny-Penny-Penny-Penny-Nickel... or, One-Penny-Two-Pennies-Three-Pennies-Four-Pennies-Five-Pennies-Nickel, One-Penny-Two-Pennies-Three-Pennies-Four-Pennies-Five-Pennies-Nickel...