Decorate Clay Cakes

1. 1

   Use modeling clay to make two large cake bases for decorating.

2. 2

   Roll red and blue clay into long strips and cut them into similar-size pieces. Pretend the pieces are strawberries and blueberries. Demonstrate a repeating pattern, such as red-blue-blue-red, around the first cake.

3. 3

   Name the pattern as you work. Stop halfway and pretend to forget which fruit comes next, then ask your child to continue the sequence.

4. 4

   For the second cake, ask, “Which two fruits would you like to use?” Make more clay pieces in the colors your child chooses.

5. 5

   If the arrangement stops repeating, point back to the beginning and suggest using the same sequence again.

6. 6

   When the circle is complete, admire and pretend to taste the decorated cakes together.

What to notice

• Decorates a clay cake with a repeating pattern they created Operations and Algebraic Thinking
• Uses a tool with you to make small clay pieces Fine Motor

Tips

• Try patterns beyond the example. Keep each repeating unit to three to five pieces and leave enough space for the sequence to remain easy to see.
• Add another ring around the side of a cake. This time, offer a third color and see what new repeating pattern your child creates.

Developmental benefits

• Cognitive: Designing, continuing, and adjusting a repeating color sequence gives your child practice creating a simple pattern.
• Movement: Rolling clay into strips and cutting it into small pieces gives your child practice controlling finger pressure and a simple tool.