Looking for alphabet activities that your kids can do independently? Something that will keep their attention for longer than five seconds? These free printable lowercase alphabet pattern block mats are perfect!

Kids can use the pictures to guide them in creating each letter of the alphabet, match the shapes and find the letters that match. All without you needing to sit beside them the entire time. Giving you time to focus on small groups or to just take a breather.

If you love these lowercase letter mats, you’ll also love my Uppercase Alphabet Pattern Block Mats.

Lowercase Alphabet Pattern Block Templates

Having hands on activities for preschoolers get kids’ arms and fingers moving. Fine motor activities that also involve literacy and math skills will help stimulate the brain in multiple ways which is incredibly beneficial for kids!

It is a good fit to use these lowercase pattern block printables with young children because lowercase letters are the ones they will see most often in written text. Starting with lowercase letter practice will help set a strong foundation for reading and writing.

To Prep: Print out the free pattern block templates. Using some sort of protector for printable activities is a must for me. Both lamination or dry erase pouches work well and have their own benefits.

Lamination is more permanent but dry erase pouches are quicker. If choosing to laminate, go ahead and do so. If you choose to use the pouches, add the pattern block alphabet cards to the pouch. Either way will allow the cards to be written on and reused.

To Use: You can start with whichever letter sheet you choose. You can go with A-Z or completely random. A great way to start is to use the letters in the child’s name.

We start the activity off by discussing which letter it is. We say the letter name and start with beginning sounds. I point to the picture and ask what the picture is and then emphasize the beginning sounds.

Next we build the letter with the pattern block shapes (we adore the Learning Resources plastic pattern blocks or wooden pattern blocks shown above), while using the diagram on the sheet. When the pattern block letter is formed, we use the dry erase marker to trace the letter. Perfect for building fine motor skills and shape recognition in your early childhood lessons.

We also talk about the pictures on the left side. These are all pictures of words that begin with the letter on the mat. This is a great opportunity for practicing beginning sounds.

The last part of the mat is to count the number of each of the shape used, adding another math component to the pattern block pictures. It is fantastic to integrate a little math with our literacy stations! We cross off each shape or you can count the number of each block and write them inside the block picture.

 

When we are done with the first letter, we move the pattern blocks off and start on our next letter.

Pattern block alphabet letters look a bit different than letters children will see in text. Discuss with students how it is different than we would write it. Challenge them: is there another (better) way you can form the letters with the set of blocks?

This will actually help them remember the correct shape of the letters because more of their brain and body is involved.

Additional Ideas

I really like the idea of using these pattern block mats for the letter of the day or letter of the week. This can help children have the time to focus on each letter individually.

This, however, is not required. These pattern block mats make a fantastic literacy center and are super easy to store on the side for early finishers!

I also really like that this activity can be done with flexible seating and on trays, it is not restricted to just a table or desk. Children will love being creative and making their own pattern block designs!

More Alphabet Activities You’ll Love!