Teach colours

1. 1

   Match two of the same colour

   A good place to start when

   Your child is happy to look at or handle two objects with you. They can join in without saying colour words.

   Try it together

   Set out two blue socks and one yellow sock. Put one blue sock down, then invite your child to find its partner. Show them once if they want help.

   Try the next step when

   Your child finds a match with a different pair of objects, without you pointing to the answer.

   Read the illustrated guide →Next step →
2. 2

   Make two colour groups

   A good place to start when

   Your child can find a matching colour when you show an example.

   Try it together

   Put a red item in one bowl and a blue item in another. Offer a red sock and a blue block one at a time. Let your child decide which group each joins. Bubble Garden is a separate way to hear the names while exploring.

   Try the next step when

   Your child adds a new object to the matching group even when it looks different from the example.

   Read the illustrated guide →Play online →Next step →
3. 3

   Find a colour by name

   A good place to start when

   Your child can group familiar colours and understands a simple invitation such as ‘show me’.

   Try it together

   Put a blue cup and a yellow towel side by side. Say ‘Show me blue’ without looking or pointing at the cup. Swap positions and try another time. If they enjoy listening for clues, try a two-choice Colours round.

   Try the next step when

   Your child can point to or bring the colour you name in different objects, with no example in front of them.

   Play online →Read the illustrated guide →Next step →
4. 4

   Use a colour word

   A good place to start when

   Your child finds a colour when someone names it. Keep playing at that step if they’re enjoying pointing or showing.

   Try it together

   Go on a tiny colour hunt. Start with ‘I found a green leaf’. Pause after ‘You found a …’ and let your child join in if they want. If they say ‘leaf’, you can add ‘green leaf’.

   Look for this in everyday play

   Your child uses a familiar colour word while talking or playing, and begins using it for different things.

   Read the illustrated guide →

More about learning through everyday play ↗