Visual Planning

Pattern Maze: ShapesLevel 1 · Easy

4 × 5 squares, a pattern of 2 symbols. Plain shapes only (circle, triangle, square, and so on).

Level 14 × 5 squares, a pattern of 2 symbols. Plain shapes only (circle, triangle, square, and so on).

Keeping track?

Aims of this activity

Telling apart small differences in shape (visual discrimination)
Finding the next symbol among the nearby squares while comparing it with the pattern (visual search)
Keeping a pattern that is hard to name in mind while moving (working memory)
Looking ahead at a branch to choose the way (planning)

Your child follows the symbols in the order shown at the top of the page (after the last symbol, the pattern starts again from the first), moving from the start to the finish.The rule is the same as in "Pattern Maze: Pictures," but the symbols have no color, and at higher levels they become hard to name, like "a star in a circle." Your child cannot simply say the names while moving, so they need to compare small differences in shape with the pattern again and again.It is a step up, best tried after the picture version.

Tips

Check the order of the symbols at the top. After the symbol on the right, go back to the symbol on the left.
From the square at the red arrow (start), draw a line with a pencil to the next square up, down, left, or right, following the pattern. No diagonal moves.
The maze is done when the line reaches the blue arrow (finish).

A filled-in example of Pattern Maze Shapes Level 1. A line goes from the start following diamond, half circle, diamond, half circle. — Example (Level 1). The blue line is the child's line. The dotted line is a dead end the child tried and came back from.

For what to say, choosing a level and what to do if it is too hard, see Pattern Maze: Shapes: a guide for grown-ups.

Choosing a level

If your child can do Levels 3 to 5 of the picture version, start at Level 1. Levels 1 and 2 use plain shapes, so they are for getting used to symbols.

↓

Reached the finish following the pattern, without getting lost

Go up one level.
Before drawing, try following the route to the finish with the eyes only.

Mixes up similar symbols or loses track of the pattern

Go down one level.
Go back to "Pattern Maze: Pictures."
Point to the symbol in the pattern at each step to check.

Pattern Maze: Shapes free printable worksheet, Level 3 (Medium) — From Level 4, each shape has another shape inside. The symbols are harder to name, so your child compares with the pattern more often.

Pattern Maze: Shapes free printable worksheet, Level 4 (Medium-Hard) — From Level 4, each shape has another shape inside. The symbols are harder to name, so your child compares with the pattern more often.

Things you can say

Before startingLook closely at the shapes. What is inside?Help your child notice both the outer shape and what is inside.
When stuckIs it the same as the pattern? Let's compare.Do not give the answer. Let your child compare with the pattern to check.
At a dead endLet's go back and try another way.Going into a dead end is not a failure. Going back and trying again is fine.
When finishedYou looked carefully, even at the shapes that look alike!Notice that your child compared carefully, not just how fast they were.