Patterns in life - Life Skills and Art for the little ones
If you take the time and look around you, you will see all types of patterns.
What is a pattern? A pattern is made when you repeat something. Look at the numbers 2 4 6 2 4 6, that is a pattern. We find a lot of different types of patterns.
You can look at a shirt and see a pattern on it or some beads or a building. Even in nature you will find different patterns if you look at certain animals.
Patterns in nature
You will find patterns in plants and animals.
Look at the following pictures and point out the patterns and also try and re-draw it by yourself.
A peacock feather
Patterns in plants
A honey comb
Shells
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Butterfly
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Ndebele patterns
The Ndebele people have used patterns on their houses for many years. A lot of people love the beautiful colours they use and artists will use these patterns to put on everyday items like cups and plates.
The Ndebele people use geometric shapes.
What is a geometric shape? Have a look at the video
Look at the picture of the painting on the wall again and notice the following (see if you can find it on the picture)
- A lot of squares and triangles are used and repeated to form a pattern
- In some places the shapes are joined together to form new shapes.
- There are shapes inside of shapes
- A thick black line is used to outline the shapes and patterns
- The colours that are used do not always form a pattern
You are going to make your own pattern inspired by the Ndebele people. Pretend that your piece of paper is the side of the house and you have to draw a pattern on it. Draw different shapes and use different colours. You can even make up your own shapes. Use your imagination.
If you would like to make a whole Ndebele house, you can watch the video for ideas.
