Start with primary colours

To assist your child in understanding colours, see that she has toys in the primary colours.  These are not hard to find since many blocks and stacking cups and many pre-school objects are manufactured in these colours.

As your child is playing with building blocks, separate them into colours for her.  Point to the blue blocks and tell her they are blue.  When the word blue becomes familiar to her, mix the blocks up.  Ask her to find the blue blocks.  You might locate them for her a few times before letting her try.  Sometimes an example is all she will need. Pre-schoolers love this game!  When she finds the blue block you can clap and smile and make much fuss over her accomplishment.

Keep repeating the name of the colour when it appears in her environment.  During the day as you go about your routine, point out blue objects.   Note her blue socks, or blue shirt, or blue stuffed animal.  Whatever pops up in the course of the day that is blue, use the word and smile when you say it.   Make your tone one of happy surprise.  She will make the connection after a while.  Be patient if this takes a little time.  She has so many things to learn and her little brain is more crowded than ever before!    Also, be careful not to over stimulate her by doing this for too long a period or too often, or she will lose interest.  Make it one part of playtime and emphasise the fun rather than making it a lesson.

The more senses used in learning, the better the lesson.  Make this a tactile experience by letting her finger paint with the colour you are teaching her.  For each thing she draws, whether it be a simple letter or moon or star or whatever, say, blue A, or blue moon, or blue star.  All of these techniques can be applied with other colours as well.  Start off teaching her just one colour at a time, but after initial lessons you can mix and match to be sure she is learning the distinctions.

Go slowly and always make it a game.  Repetition is key, but never turn the lesson into a drill.  She will understand in time and will be as thrilled as you when she finally gets it.

Article by Rachel Goodchild

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