Generalizing mathematical patterns is a fundamental activity in mathematics education and a central approach to algebra. Kathrin Akinwunmi utilizes this to explore the preparatory development of variable concepts in elementary school. She investigates how elementary school students generalize patterns and how variable concepts develop in the process. In an interview study with 30 fourth graders, the author examines the generalization processes of the learners from an epistemological perspective. In her data analysis, she reconstructs the conceptual development processes related to variable concepts and identifies the linguistic tools that learners use when generalizing mathematical patterns.