Smiley Face Patterns Worksheet for Preschoolers
This pattern worksheet has children ages 3-5 study a row of smiley faces with varying expressions or colors and determine what comes next in the repeating sequence, building foundational pattern recognition and logical reasoning skills. Recognizing and extending patterns is one of the earliest forms of mathematical thinking children encounter, laying groundwork for later work with number patterns, skip counting, and algebraic reasoning. Because the pattern uses a familiar, emotionally engaging image like a smiley face, children stay motivated through several rows of repeated practice.
Curriculum
How to use this worksheet
Look at the row of smiley faces together and say out loud what you notice repeating, such as 'happy, happy, sad, happy, happy, sad.' Ask your child to predict which smiley face type comes next in the empty circle at the end of the row. Have them draw the predicted smiley face in the empty space, checking that it matches the pattern's repeating rule. Move to the next row and repeat, discussing how each pattern differs from the last.
Materials needed
- Pencil
- Crayons
Extension activities
- •Create your own pattern using different colored crayons, like red, blue, red, blue.
- •Use blocks or small toys to build physical patterns your child can touch and rearrange.
- •Clap or stomp out a rhythm pattern and have your child continue it.
- •Go on a pattern hunt around the house, looking for repeating designs on clothing or wallpaper.
- •Make a pattern using snacks, like grapes and crackers, before eating them in that same order.
Tips for parents and teachers
Encourage your child to explain the pattern they see before drawing the answer, since verbalizing the rule helps them solidify their understanding rather than just guessing. Provide positive reinforcement for their efforts, especially on trickier patterns with three or more repeating elements. If a pattern feels too hard, simplify it to just two alternating elements before building back up to more complex sequences.
Written by
Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena
MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai
Every RaisoActive worksheet is designed and checked by the founder before publishing.
Published · Last reviewed
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