Encourage your child to collect as many sticks, small rocks, flowers and leaves as he/she can. Later, use all of these items to sort into trays. You can use things like egg or apple cartons to help organize these items. Have your child count how many total items they collected as well as how many of each item they have. Ask your child which items there are more or less off. Maybe some items are the same amount.
The items your child has collected can also be used to make patterns! You can help your child start a pattern by laying out a leaf-rock-stick-flower in any order and see if they can follow your lead. You can also do two sticks and two rocks, using less items, to make this more simple while your child gets the hang of it! Please take some pictures and share some of your patterns with us!