©2020 PLAtime
“Yellow, green, green, yellow, green, green…” the boy exclaimed as he built a “train” of Legos like Mom’s. This task may seem extremely simple however there is so much going on inside that little mind! Many communication concepts kaleidoscope together to form Pattern Play! This child is utilizing detail distinction, color identification, naming, following directions, sequencing skills, and more to follow his mother’s example. All of these concepts join in beautiful alignment!
A parent with strong pattern skills is the greatest resource for a child learning pattern skills! A caregiver with strong pattern skills is an asset to someone who has experienced injuries to the brain. Patterns are excellent compensatory strategies to strengthen daily function and matter far more than just matching one’s attire! Some people are more relational and get overwhelmed with tasks; this breaks down the day to help them tackle and accomplish more. Task-driven people can accomplish a lot in a day, but allow relational concepts to fall through the cracks; this helps them keep track of those. Trauma also affects pattern skills which affect daily function- whether physical or emotional trauma. Playing with patterns affects productivity in other areas and assists in advancing problem solving skills in any brain——- whether it is developing, healthy, injured, or aging. Deuteronomy 6:7 and Colossians 3:1-2 guide this pattern for the day!
Watch how patterns help in the following example of a day at home with littles:
“Above” Mental/heart setting Awake with thanks, praise, and direction
Spouse attention Attend to their departure from home; anticipate their return
Kid Character focus Morning Joke and Scripture
Physical needs of family Breakfast and pet care
Appreciate home Load laundry (M-Kid; T- Towels; H-Parent; F/S- bedding)
Personal Health/hygiene Teeth care with positive thought or encouragement from mirror
Advance (in His Plans) Personal Growth activity i.e. Drink water
————————Repeat above pattern; but alternate tasks—————————-
“Above” Mental/heart setting Teachable heart with a school lesson
Spouse attention Prep supper; text spouse the plan (can add flirt emoji)
Kid Character focus Finishing a school task completely
Physical Needs of family Morning snack with a hug “delivery”
Appreciate home Unload Dishwasher
Personal Health/hygiene Stretch as family or dance party or go for family walk
Advance (in God’s Plans) Work session
Repeat the pattern until 4pm and you automatically have productive, relational day!
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**Note: Decode the acronym the pattern spells with the first letters! The first three are relational and have more inward flow like an inhale. They spell “ASK”. The following four are more task-oriented involving outward flow like that of an exhale. They spell “PAPA”. Together all 7, spell “ASK PAPA”. My acronym friend, Christi, encouraged this part and I treasure it! Patterns began personally for me in hopes of asking His direction from morning until night. Patterns also built in cues of inviting Him into the moments rather than just asking His direction in the morning and barreling ahead independently until bedtime prayers.
Options for rotating tasks into the pattern sets:
“Above” Heart/Mental setting Bible study, Bill pay, Pause (Phil 4:6-8), look at a pic of favorite flowers, etc., thanks, praise, direction, prayer, learning something new and hard with God’s help
Spouse attention Purposefully think appreciative thoughts of them, Text, Call, Pray for day, Bake them a treat, Complete 1 chore that says, “Welcome home”, etc., Anticipate their return, snuggle or more
Kid character focus Another school lesson, pray for day, play, read, go for walk, plant something, protect something smaller or younger (pet care), etc.
Physical needs of family meals, snacks, hug, wink, laugh, bath time, smile at them, or disinfect 1 room, etc.
Appreciate Home Unload Dishwasher, Sweep/Vacuum 1 room, Fold laundry, (*note: sometimes you must split these in half and fold half a load one pattern cycle; finish on next pattern cycle
Personal Health/hygiene Stretch, dance party or go for walk, free play, hydrate, shower, bath, alone time, friend time (couple any of these with gratitude thought)
Advance in His Plans for me Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 15:13 are excellent guides regarding God’s plans for us! Personal growth and self care activity, Drink water, read, practice a hobby, research an interest, work on a character trait, talk to a friend, wisely enjoy a TV show , go sit in the swing, etc.
Was it clear how this differs from a schedule with time? It is an order but some tasks take an hour while some are only 2 minutes long. These shorter activities usually have the biggest impact on the day but are the ones most often forgotten. These little deletions can quickly send the day in a downward spiral and seem to do the most relational damage! One complete pattern of 7 may only take one hour to complete; while another set takes 3 hours. That is ok!
This is just an example. Change out the titles or the options for what fits in your family. Some options fit into two or more categories- so they can be repeated as well. Once we, as parents, practice patterns in our daily life for 1 week, we can try incorporating patterns into our kids lives that complement our patterns. This can increase the relational rhythm, consistency, and efficiency in the home. May we all PLA well with patterns and to see how they benefit us!
