Teaching colors is an easy everyday activity for toddlers and preschool teachers. We are constantly labeling toys, pictures in books, and what we are doing to our students. Learning colors is a foundational skill that starts as early as the one-year-old and continues through preschool. There are many ways to teach colors to children using books, playing an I Spy game, file folder activities, science experiments, posters, art, and just playing with the toys in the class.
Most teachers don’t think colors can be a theme all by itself but it can be and it can be fun.
Mixing colors together
One of my favorite activities when teaching colors is mixing colors together to find a new surprise color. When we show children colors in this fashion we add a science component as well. This can be shown by using a sensory bag, making art with two primary colors, or performing a science experiment. Teaching colors in this manner gives an extra dose of fun and mystery. When we as teachers make learning fun and memorable it’s a win-win. The teacher’s lesson is a success and the students have learned the objective of the lesson.
The number of science activities that you as a teacher can find to add to your color theme will make your color theme come to life in a hands-on approach. Your students will want to repeat the science activities many times. In the more resources section at the end of this post will be some science activities that you can incorporate into your class.
Color Activities
There are many color activities that can make up a color theme for your class. On top of the color mixing activities, you can sort items by color, play an I Spy game, look at books and label colors that you see, and many others.
Sorting colors
Color sorting is a great activity that builds on a simple matching activity and makes it harder. Children will learn some simple graphing skills without realizing that sorting is like graphing. I like to add counting once the sorting is done. I count each item by their color and then count all of the items on the sorting mat.
I SPY colors
The I Spy colors activity also works on sorting skills but in more of a game format. This activity also helps a child find various items with that same color but not look alike besides the color. I also like to use this type of activity to work on counting skills. I like to count each item with the same color.
Graphing colors
Graphing skills can be fun to teach as a whole group activity for the younger children and graphing a color such as favorites is a great example. When we are graphing items it can be based on likes, spinning a wheel, rolling a dice, or making a decision/ choice. Graphs are just recording information and then counting how many of each item it colored in. There are a few graphs that can be used as a favorite color or a preferred color and a spin and graph the color. Both activities help with graphing skills; one is a choice the child has control over and the other is more by chance. Each activity can be just as fun.
Learning colors
Learning colors might seem like no big deal but; this helps open up a child’s world in a new and exciting manner. When we teach colors to children they gain more independence and worth in their world. Learning colors takes time and intention. Some of my favorite ways to help teach colors are through books and using posters as a visual aid. With very young children labeling the colors of toys during play is the first step to teaching children that colors surround their world.
Teaching colors to preschoolers
Colors might seem like just another theme to fill the calendar however; teaching colors to preschoolers can be fun, interactive, and explosive when taught through science and innovation. Preschoolers love when they can get their hands dirty and not just with dirt. When activities get messy the activities will stick in a child’s mind for a lifetime. Being that teacher will not only make you a favorite but one of the best. Great teachers don’t become great overnight it takes time, reflection, repetition, and make some science experiments.
When we are in the moment teaching colors to our children we need to remember that they are learning life and we are their tour guide for a period of time. Let’s be the best tour guide to life that we can be and in full color.
More Resources:
My Bored Toddler
Pinterest Toddler
Pinterest Color
Lemon lime
Pinterest Science
