Dot pattern x dot pattern (4x4): Underwater pictures

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Number pattern x number pattern (4x4): Underwater pictures - practising number patterns in a double-entry table.

Dive underwater and discover where each picture belongs! In this interactive matrix activity for preschool children, children complete a 4 x 4 double-entry table. At the top and to the left of the table are dice patterns showing 1, 2, 3 or 4 dots. Each time, the child looks at two number patterns and drags the correct underwater picture to the square where the correct row and column intersect.

This 4x4 matrix activity encourages logical and systematic thinking. Preschool children learn to look at and combine two features at the same time: the number pattern for the row and the number pattern for the column. They need to compare carefully, search purposefully and discover how a double-entry table is structured. In this way, they gradually practise organising, classifying and processing information.

The activity also provides playful practice in early numeracy. Children recognise dice patterns from 1 to 4 and learn to perceive quantities increasingly quickly without having to count every dot separately each time. By using the same number patterns both horizontally and vertically, recognition of small quantities is reinforced even further.

The many spoken instructions and auditory feedback also support language development and listening skills. Preschool children hear words and concepts related to the task and learn to connect language with what they see and do on the screen. Combining looking, listening, comparing and acting provides additional support for the learning process.

The underwater theme makes the activity appealing and familiar to young children. While working with colourful underwater pictures, they naturally practise important skills such as concentration, visual discrimination, spatial orientation and accurately following rows and columns.

Thanks to the simple drag-and-drop controls, preschool children also develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and digital skills. The free educational app can be used on tablets, computers, interactive whiteboards and other digital learning environments, both in the classroom and at home.

This activity is particularly suitable for preschool teachers, support teachers, parents and caregivers looking for a playful activity involving double-entry tables, matrix activities, dice patterns, number patterns up to 4, recognising quantities, logical thinking, classification, visual perception and early mathematical skills.

Let preschool children discover through play how rows and columns together determine where a picture belongs, while giving them a solid foundation for logical thinking, number sense and working with tables.

In the online logbook, parents and teachers can easily review afterwards which apps were used and which results were achieved.

Learning goals

  • Logical and mathematical thinking
    • Compare objects and images based on observable properties.
    • Recognize and distinguish properties such as color, shape, size, pattern, object, character, emotion, orientation and direction of movement.
    • Classify and organize images based on one or more characteristics.
    • Recognize and use similarities and differences between images to make a choice.
    • Take two criteria into account simultaneously: a row criterion and a column criterion.
    • Determine which image matches the combination of two given properties.
    • Establish logical relationships between row criteria, column criteria and the corresponding cells of a table.
    • Systematically examine and complete a double-entry table.
    • Solve a simple mathematical problem by comparing, combining and applying information.
    • Check a chosen solution based on the given properties.
    • Handle increasing complexity in 2 × 2, 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 tables.
  • Classifying and organizing
    • Group images based on a common characteristic.
    • Take more than one property into account when organizing images.
    • Select an image that belongs to both a specific row and a specific column.
    • Recognize that one image can have multiple properties at the same time.
    • Distinguish relevant characteristics from characteristics that are not important for the task.
    • Adjust a classification when a different criterion is used.
  • Spatial orientation and structuring
    • Navigate within a grid with rows, columns and individual cells.
    • Understand the relationship between a row, a column and their intersection.
    • Place an image in the correct position within a two-dimensional structure.
    • Purposefully compare and distinguish positions within a grid.
    • Functionally use and understand concepts such as above, below, left, right, row, column and cell.
    • Navigate a visual structure clearly and systematically.
  • Number sense
    • Recognize and distinguish concrete quantities.
    • Match quantities with appropriate number representations or numerals when these are used as a criterion.
    • Relate different representations of the same quantity to one another.
    • Compare and classify number representations, numerals and concrete quantities.
    • Use numerical properties as a criterion within a double-entry table.
  • Visual perception and pattern recognition
    • Focus on characteristics of images and distinguish details from one another.
    • Visually recognize and compare shapes, colors, sizes, patterns and orientations.
    • Recognize regularity and recurring characteristics within rows and columns.
    • Analyze visual information to determine which image belongs in a particular position.
    • Focus attention on multiple visual characteristics simultaneously.
  • Language development
    • Expand vocabulary related to properties such as color, shape, size, pattern, direction, quantity and position.
    • Understand concepts used to describe similarities and differences.
    • Understand simple oral instructions related to classifying, comparing and placing.
    • Name and describe properties of objects and images.
    • Explain why an image belongs to a particular combination of characteristics.
    • Functionally use mathematical concepts such as row, column, cell, same, different, larger, smaller, above, below, left and right.
  • Problem-solving and independent thinking
    • Approach a task step by step and use an appropriate problem-solving strategy.
    • Examine the characteristics before placing an image.
    • Check a choice based on both criteria.
    • Recognize an error and adjust a solution when an image does not meet both conditions.
    • Analyze and solve a double-entry table with increasing independence.
    • Maintain attention and concentration during a multi-step task.
  • Digital literacy
    • Use a digital application purposefully.
    • Perform drag-and-drop actions to place images in the correct cell of a grid.
    • Use digital feedback to check a solution and adjust it if necessary.
    • Work independently or with guidance on an interactive mathematical exercise.
  • Motor development
    • Practice fine motor skills by purposefully dragging and dropping images.
    • Strengthen hand-eye coordination when using a mouse, touchscreen or interactive whiteboard.
    • Accurately place an image within a defined cell of a grid.
    • Act purposefully and with control within a digital environment.

QR code

You can use the downloadable QR code below to navigate directly to this app.