Describing Rules & Patterns
When you notice a pattern repeating, describe it as a rule that works every time — then test whether the rule holds in new cases
Typical age: 8–9 years
“If your child spots a pattern — like a grammar rule or a number pattern — can they describe it as a general rule and then check whether it works in new examples?”
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- Fair testing (age 9+)
Using test results to make predictions and set up further tests is the science form of the universal generalisation habit — describing a pattern as a rule and testing it further
- Times tables (age 8+)
Generalising fraction and times-table patterns is the maths-specific application of the universal generalisation habit
- Generalising with repeated reasoning
Describing algebraic rules and extending angle facts to any polygon is the mature maths form of the universal generalisation habit
- Reasoning with Equivalences
Describing general rules for sequences and predicting terms applies the universal generalisation habit in a mathematical context
- Checking Sources Against Each Other
Corroboration involves forming a generalisation from multiple instances of evidence — the universal generalisation habit applied to historical sources
- Correlation vs Causation
Evaluating whether a pattern is truly causal requires the universal generalisation habit — asking whether the rule you think you've spotted actually holds across cases