How to Help a Child Learn Colors
Children start to learn colors between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, according to Michigan State University. First, they learn to match like colors, then they learn to point to specific named colors. Finally, they can point to and name colors on their own. With several fun learning activities, you can help your toddler learn his colors. If he does not know several colors by age 4, talk to your doctor to ensure there isn't a problem, such as color blindness, that could be inhibiting him from reaching this important milestone.
Things You'll Need
- Colored shapes
- Building blocks, crayons or cards
- Magazines
- Paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Paint
- Play dough
- Camera
- Large colored cards or "Twister"
Instructions
Test your child's color knowledge by using items of the same shape and size that are different colors. Sometimes children say the right color names, but only because they have associated them with shapes, according to Indiana University. Therefore, if you use different colored circles of the same size, you can more accurately find out which colors your little one knows and which ones she doesn't. Spread out colored building blocks, crayons or cards. Find one item that is the specific color you want your child to learn. Tell her the name of the color, then ask her to separate the rest of the like-colored items from the others. Point to colors and name them in your everyday life. Books and the outdoors are excellent places to look for and name colors. Also, incorporate the use of color words whenever you can. For example, at the grocery store, say things like, "Let's find some yellow bananas. Those are riper than the green ones." When taking a walk, say, "Let's turn left after the blue house with the pink flowers in front." Use art to help your child learn colors. For example, let him look through magazines so he can point out items of a specific color, then you can cut them out and make a collage. Display it in on the fridge or a bulletin board. For the next color, give him some paint so he can create a picture using that specific color. Hang it next to the collage. For the next color, give your child some colored play dough. Take a picture of it and print it out. Hang it next to the other projects so he sees them often. Create large colored cards from poster board and spread them out on the floor. The "Twister" game board also works, if you happen to have it. Say a color and have your child jump to the correct color. Take turns so your child has a chance to tell you what color to jump on. He then needs to tell you if you're correct or not, so sometimes you'll want to jump on the wrong color. Pick out clothes that are the same color as your child is learning. Repeat this weekly with a different color. She can even help you pick out the clothes. For instance, say, "Help me choose your clothes today. Find a yellow shirt and a blue pair of shorts."
