From 18 months, children can differentiate between different shapes, sizes and colours. Although your child won;t be able to name colours easily, you will probably find that she can point out a red or green object when you ask her to.
One way to teach the meaning of colours to children, is to point out different objects that are the same colour as an item of clothing they are wearing. Sweets, such as ‘M&M's’ or ‘Smarties’ are the same shape, but have different bold colours. Using a few of these sweets to teach colours allows your child to receive a tangible reward for guessing or selecting the right colour.
To exercise your child's colour knowledge, use environmental objects and get her to point out colours, such as red circles, or brown boxes. Once your child is able to do that, let her try to name the colour of a particular item, such as a car or ball. Your child will enjoy showing off her recognition skills and learning colours can be treated like a game. If she gets it wrong at times, correct her in an encouraging manner.
One way to teach the meaning of colours to children, is to point out different objects that are the same colour as an item of clothing they are wearing. Sweets, such as ‘M&M's’ or ‘Smarties’ are the same shape, but have different bold colours. Using a few of these sweets to teach colours allows your child to receive a tangible reward for guessing or selecting the right colour.
To exercise your child's colour knowledge, use environmental objects and get her to point out colours, such as red circles, or brown boxes. Once your child is able to do that, let her try to name the colour of a particular item, such as a car or ball. Your child will enjoy showing off her recognition skills and learning colours can be treated like a game. If she gets it wrong at times, correct her in an encouraging manner.