There is a series called Baby Eye Like that are board books focusing on shapes and colors. This was an opportunity to both teach the reading and color topics on the 0-18 months schedule for Tuesday (see schedule below).
For each Tuesday, I would choose one or two colors to focus on that day. If we were going to learn about purple and orange, I would get the corresponding books and also any toy or object in the house that was either purple or orange.
Sitting on the rug, holding my little son, I would read the books to him. After that, both books would be placed on the floor next to the items that were quickly collected. Grabbing a toy, I would state the color and purposely question myself about what color it is. Should I place the object next to the book about purple, or should I place the object next to the book about orange? The thinking out loud went a little like this:
Mom: (Purple Block)
Where does this block belong? Hmmmmm
This block is purple.
Should I put this next to the purple book or the orange book?
I will put the purple block with the purple book.
Mom: (Orange Block)
Where does this block belong? Hmmmmm
This block is orange.
Should I put this next to the purple book or the orange book?
I will put the orange block with the orange book.
Realizing my first son was about nine months old at that time, his attention span was not going to be long. Depending on the day, it might have been a five to 10 minute lesson on colors. Sometimes the learning with the blocks worked and sometimes it didn’t. There would also be times when I just read the books with him. He was about two years old until he was able to identify all the colors correctly.
On the other hand, my youngest son took every opportunity to do something else when it was time to read together. I waited until he showed interest in reading the books. Meanwhile, I would point out the colors when we were outside, or even with his fruits and vegetables. It was not until he was about 1 ½ years old when he was interested in working with the books. He was able to identify all the colors correctly about 4 to 5 months after that. These experiences remind me that children learn in stages and sometimes at different moments. At the end, they will learn.
Where does this fit into the Schedule of Activities for 0-18 months?
Schedule of Activities for the Week
(0-18 months)
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday and Sunday |
| Music | Reading | Numbers (counting) | Shapes | Art | Go and see it outside and explore |
| ABCs | Colors | Reading | Reading | Textures |
copyright 2012 learningmathwithmom
Something to Think About:
In a nutshell, there are plenty of books you can check out at the library that teach about colors. Apps on the phone or iPad are also good if you do not have color flashcards handy. There is not much that you have to buy or make to teach your child about colors. Just go outside and share with your child about the colors around him or her. Begin exploring what purple tastes like or smells like. What does yellow taste like or smell like? What does green feel like or smell like? These questions can be answered by looking at grapes, lemons, mustard, or green leafy vegetables. Keep things simple and then make it a routine.
copyright 2012 learning math with mom
Learning Math with Mom 