Pattern Train

How to play

1. Look at the little group on the ticket. It repeats along the train.
2. Find the empty wagon with the arrow above it. Tap the object that belongs there, or move it onto the wagon.
3. Fill the two spaces and watch the whole train go. Three little trains make a round.

Playing with a keyboard? Press the number beneath an object, or use the arrow keys to choose and Enter or Space to place it. Tab also reaches the ticket and the marked wagon if you would like a hint.

Apple, apple, pear…

Two apples and a pear, then two apples and a pear again. Other trains carry a repeating group of flowers, leaves or little night-sky shapes. The ticket always shows the whole group, so there is one clear pattern to follow.

The objects stay in their places while your child chooses. A different choice leaves the train ready for another try; nothing is taken away, and there is no timer. Tap the ticket or engine to follow the group along the train, with a soft note for each object already there. An empty wagon stays silent. Tap the marked space for a quick hint. Any new gesture stops the reading; your child still makes every placement.

Make it right for your child

The first game starts with Repeating groups: groups of three, such as apple–apple–pear, flower–leaf–leaf or star–moon–cloud. Choose Alternating pairs in Parents for a simpler back-and-forth pattern. Missing pieces varies the spaces inside the train, so your child looks on both sides. Every missing place has a visible counterpart in the repeating group. Changing the level starts a new round, and your choice is remembered.

For free play, choose Make a pattern in Parents. Choose a group of two or three objects and a reserve of fruit, garden objects or night-sky shapes. Tap a place on the ticket or train, then tap an object; you can also move an object directly onto a place. Changing one place changes every repetition. Tap the engine to send the train and bring it back. There are no wrong answers or scores, and switching between the two activities keeps each train during your visit.

Say the group together as you point along the wagons, then let your child choose the next object. Color and shape both help identify each object. Everything works with sound off.

During play, click or touch and hold “Parents” for two seconds, or type parent. You can change the level, sound, background and motion, or switch off the gentle hint that appears after a pause.

Ages are a guide. Stop whenever you like. The session picture shows the trains you have seen and the pieces actually placed, including any empty wagons still waiting.