1 of 11

Write now Article Tools

The fastest way for teaching color recognition is color matching. If parents are reasonably sure that their child has had no difficulty in reaching previous milestones and is fairly bright, then it is even possible to combine this easy color recognition activity with teaching reading.

Color Matching Game for Toddlers.

1. Select or buy some brightly colored toddler toys and add some 'found' objects from around the home. Objects that have meaning for the child are fun, such as a yellow bath duck, a shiny red rainy day boot, a brown teddy, a blue breakfast bowl, and so on. A joky one such as Mommy's pink fluffy slipper might make them laugh too. Be sure to have several objects in each color category, to aid color recognition.

2. Arrange the toys and objects randomly on the floor where there is lots of space, and start playing a 'tidy-up' game. You could make it funny where 'naughty Mommy' has tipped all the objects out and has to collect them as fast as she can - but in a certain number of minutes. Carefully pick up each object, saying its color, and place in the corresponding pile. A 'switched-on' toddler will soon work out what is happening here!

3. Some toddlers will already be pleading for a go! Some will respond even quicker if there is a little reward at the end like some colored 'Smarties' or candy treats (which can be used for extension work on the next color recognition task.) Amazingly, there is a cerain window of opportunity in toddler-hood (around 2-3 yrs old) when they are driven to be tidy-minded! If harnessed at the right time, this inclination can prove a sound foundation for ordering for life. Many parents are surprised how well their child takes to these sorting and color recognition activities.

4. Encourage toddlers to slow down and think carefully where they are depositing the objects, and to clearly repeat each color name. Watch for any visual deficiencies and be ready to report them at the health clinic. In such a case, postpone visual activities until after seeking advice.

5. Parents of bright toddlers who complete the activity in one minute flat, or at any rate, fairly quickly, can 'up the stakes' to include the pre-reading skill of word-recognition. Have each pile clearly labelled in large, black, lower case letters with its color name. Write the corresponding color names on sticky-back labels and fix to objects. Many children will quickly come to associate the word-shapes with the right color. This is great preparation for a reading technique they will encounter in early school called 'see and say.' Start by drawing their attention to the initial letter sound and shape.

6. Toddlers bursting with pride in their achievements can be rewarded and then have their potential stretched with a slightly more challenging task. They will have great glee tipping out packets of colored M and Ms or Smarties onto the table. Parents should try to ensure that the number of colors is now extended. Provide them with saucers with which to sort them into matching colors. Younger or less confident toddlers will benefit from having one of each color placed into each saucer first. Issue toddlers with the proviso that they don't eat any candy until their 'answers' have been checked. Then let them sort! Color recognition was never so much for toddlers1

Learn more about this author, InspiredWritingResearch.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Ideas for teaching color recognition?
We want to hear your view. Write now!