Color for toddlers

Research shows that music has a strong influence on a child’s development and learning. Sing to your child songs and rhymes with colors as kids tend to remember rhymes easily. Check YouTube for color songs and rhymes that teach colors and watch them with your toddler. 

Check out or favorite color songs for toddlers

Youtube Super Simple songs are very catchy and well done. This blue song is a great one.

I love to sing I can sing a rainbow (YouTube) as we wave color scarfs around. I have been singing that song to my son since he was one and now that he is two, he can sing along with us as he picks the right color scarfs.

Learn Colors through books

Books are a great opportunity to teach colors. Use books that are all about colors and point colors often while you read.

A great way to learn colors is to create activities around the book.

Best Books to Learn colors

My Favorite Color Books

• Dog’s Colorful Day 
  • My favorite color book! I used it for sensory class and we played with edible paint after to make the color spots on the dog.
• What Makes a Rainbow
  • A book that has a story for each color with a textured ribbon, as you pass the pages the rainbow forms. I used this book for our Virtual Mommy & Me class for Spring) and we painted a rainbow using homemade watercolor paint.
  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? A classic that is fun to read because it’s an easy rhyme to remember and should be in everyone’s library. Use coloring pages of this book and color each animal.

Top Books to learn colors recommended by Teachers

1. Planting a Rainbow (Best price found on Amazon)
2. White Rabbit’s Colors by Alan Baker (Best price found on Amazon)
3. I Love My White Shoes – Pete The Cat (Best price found on Kidbooks)
4. What color is bear’s underwear (Best price found in Amazon)
5. The Color Monster (Best price found on Amazon)
6. Monster Colors (Early Learning Rhymes) (Best price found on Kidbooks)

Repeat colors each morning when helping your child to dress and get ready for the day. For example, say, “Today you’ll be wearing a blue shirt and yellow pants to daycare.” 

Allow your child to pick pieces of clothes for him/herself and ask which colors he has choosen.

Repetition throughout the day with different activities will ensure that your child learns the colors easily.

Involve your child in grocery shopping and meal preparation activities. Allow them to choose, touch, and play with raw fruits and vegetables while you’re shopping and preparing food at home. 

As you cook and serve food, introduce each food item with their color and say, “This is a green cucumber. This cucumber is green.”

Create opportunities for choices. While showing them each item, allow for them to choose what they want. For example, Ask your toddler “do you want a red apple or a green apple”

Exploring nature is a wonderful way to teach colors to young children. While outside, introduce the colors of flowers, the sky, grass, leaves, birds, butterflies, tree trunks, and so on.

Repeat colors while you and your child are spending time outdoors. Children are naturally curious and interested in nature. They love to observe various things in nature such as flowers, animals, or clouds, and ask many questions. 

Observe Colors in Nature Together and go on scavenger hunts together. Collect flowers, sticks and other found items in the colors you are practicing and working on. 

Play iSpy

Review each color of the rainbow. Start with the first color and try to search for items that are that color during your walk. You can both participate – do not expect your child to  do all the finding. It’s more fun if you both do.

Match Colors in Nature

You can help your child learn colors faster by setting up activities that provide matching opportunities.

Matching colors is a math skill as being the very first lesson to helping a child learn how to sort, organize, categorize, and compare.

Take a color wheel of color flashcards and play a matching activity. Find different color flowers, rocks, mailboxes etc.. and match them to the right color flashcard.

You might have to do all the matching at first, but be patient and repeat the activity often, eventually your child will surprise you and start looking for the flashcard that matches the plants/flowers they collected. 

While a one-year-old might have trouble verbalizing the name of the color, he/she can still identify each color by matching it and sorting it.

A great matching activity are color sorting activities using puzzles. These activities not only teach children colors but also encourage problem-solving skills, cause and effect, math skills, attention and focus, language skills, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cooperation.

Play with color matching puzzles that can be sorted by colors. Only use the red, yellow, blue, and green pieces first and continue with other color pieces as this skill gets mastered.

Using sorting worksheets sort each color item to its matching pair.  

A great opportunity to work on matching colors is through worksheets. This allows your toddler to match the exact same color and item for a true matching exercise. You can use your toddler’s interest to make the activity more interested. 

If your toddler loves sharks like mine does, the shark worksheet is awesome! Does he/she love cars, trucks and other transportation equipment? Then follow their lead. 

When playing the matching game, always verbalize the color that your child is holding. If they are holding the yellow shark and are ready to match it with the yellow, say “yellow shark good job, that is the yellow shark, yellow and yellow” (as you point to teach shark)

If matching has become too easy, then color sorting is the next level up in learning colors.  

Provide a set of activities where you toddler can sort items by colors. Have a cup of each color and a few toys in a basket or tray and allow your toddler to put like -with-like. 

This activity is also a great activity to practice fine motor skills as they learn. 

You can get super creative setting up activities and sensory bins to work on sorting. Get the lesson plan book for a full list of ideas.

Parent tip: During sorting activities, ask your child “can you show me blue?” and allow him/her to point at the colors. Repeat with the rest of the colors. 

If they point out the wrong color, say “That is red. Can you show me blue” 

If they continue to show you the wrong color, stop asking and just continue to play the matching and sorting activities and verbalize the colors you are playing and touching as much as you can to continue the name association. 

Use Coloring Pages to Practice Colors

Provide coloring pages with black-and-white illustrations that are associated with that color. For example a yellow sun, a red apple, etc.  Ask your child to use crayons, markers, or colored pens.

I love to take full weeks and focus on just one color. This means we would go on nature hunts to search for things that are that color, we will dress in clothing that has the selected color, we would include the color during snack time and we would do tons of activities related to that color. 

I love art, and even though at one and two years old, art is just process art and it’s job is to explore materials I love to involve paint activities and all types of art supplies to our learning week.  

Children are naturally curious and love to experiment with colors, materials, and textures. Make sure to provide safe, non-toxic art supplies such as markers, crayons, colored pencils, and brushes and encourage your child to draw and paint. Art activities not only teach colors but promote fine motor skills development, boost cognitive abilities, creativity, and imagination.

Different types of painting and a variety of coloring supplies like chalk, markers, or finger painting, will spur your child’s interest and spark their creativity.

When doing art, always name the color of the crayon or marker that you’re working with and encourage him/her to repeat it. Engage finger painting not only to teach your child colors but to enhance creativity and sensory skills as well.

Parent tip: If your toddler can match the colors correctly, can sort colors to its own, and can point to the correct color when asked, then you can now point to a color and ask “what is this color” and allow your toddler to correctly identify it.  

Offer playdough and other brightly colored craft and sensory materials such as squeeze bottles, pom-poms, water beads, kinetic sand, stickers, etc to create craft projects to practice each color. 

Once your toddler masters primary colors a fun activity to introduce new ones is with a mixing paint activity using washable paint.

• Tape paper to table so pre-toddler doesn’t pick it up and makes a paint disaster
• Choose two primary color paint (I used @crayola finger paint)
• Place a few dabs of your first paint on the left side of the paper
• Place paint #2 on the right side -let pre-toddler spread the paint and be amazed at the new color created
• Clean up messy hands when done
• Hang art project proudly

Last thoughts on learning colors

These activities are fun ways to teach colors to your toddler. Start with matching, then sorting, as you practice pointing and naming them.  

Remember to start with just a few colors, (primary color are best) and then move on to others until you complete the rainbow. 

Throughout all of the activities look for opportunities to teach children color recognition but also encourage them to practice fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination. All of the activities above work on helping improve their language development, and boost creativity and imagination, therefore nurturing all aspects of your child’s development.

teaching colors to a toddler with Pre-made Color Lesson Activities

Sometimes is easier when you have a complete package with all the lesson plan, activity ideas, printables, art projects etc. Start learning the colors at home.

I created the Play & Learn Color Bundle so you can start implementing all of these ideas at home

teaching colors to a toddler with the Color bundle:

• Quick & Easy Activities
• Coloring Pages
• Matching Activities
• and more…

The influence of color on a child from the point of view of psychology and medicine

Colors are one of the most unique and rich decorations of our life. Color perception is an important step in the development of the baby. The color scheme surrounding the child, whether it be the color of clothing, a children's room or a playground, has a significant impact not only on the development of speech and vision, but also on the child's psyche and body as a whole.

As a result of numerous studies, it was determined what effect a certain color has on a child. If you use this knowledge, you can choose colors depending on the purpose of any of the children's items, as well as use them correctly in the children's play space.

Red is a strong irritant for a child. Even in the calmest children, it can cause excessive activity. At the same time, it gives joy to both children and adults. Do not use it in the children's bedroom, so as not to prevent the child from sleeping peacefully. Especially, you should not use red for a hyperactive baby, so as not to increase nervousness and excite aggression.

Pink color, depending on the brightness of the shade (bright, reddish), encourages action. At the same time, the soft shade will soothe the baby.

Yellow is considered the color of harmony. It is able to cause joyful sensations in the child, and also stimulates children to concentrate. Especially, the yellow color has a beneficial effect on an excited, nervous child prone to tantrums. Also, yellow color increases appetite.

The green color has a significant impact on the development of the child. Encourages interest in learning and knowledge of the world around. Shades of green build self-confidence, instilling courage in the child. But do not get too carried away with green, especially if your child is phlegmatic. Otherwise, it will completely lose activity.

Blue can be called the color of purity and depth. Its shades, even in the most passive child, can arouse interest in something new, awaken the imagination. In color therapy, blue is used to combat stress. At the same time, in a sensitive baby, a rich blue color can cause an unconscious feeling of anxiety. If you are faced with the task of drawing the child's attention to something specific, then be sure to try to use at least a little blue.

Blue color is simply indispensable for stress. It is always lightness, freshness and weightlessness. Blue shades have a calming and relaxing effect on the child's body. From a medical point of view, it has been proven that the color blue can lower blood pressure. Blue shades help relieve tension, but you should not oversaturate the children's space with this color, so as not to cause a feeling of cold and alienation.

White color can create a favorable background for children's perception, as it is devoid of emotional aggressiveness. Therefore, using it in the interior helps the child to calm down and improve well-being. At the same time, white should be used with caution, as it can increase a child's sense of insecurity. Beige color in its psychological properties is similar to white. Gray color calms and reduces activity.

Black is not the color of childhood. Often it is interpreted as the absence of color. A large amount of black can be oppressive and cause fear in a child.

Brown color symbolizes confidence and calmness, but it is not able to evoke strong emotions. In large quantities, it weighs down.

Orange, like red, is the color of an impulse aimed at interacting with the outside world. Surrounded by orange, the child is better able to tolerate being alone. Its use increases activity and sociability, which is often necessary for lethargic and inactive children. Orange is a great mood booster.

Violet color symbolizes spiritual perfection, purity, abundance and enlightenment. It evokes in children a sense of peace and inner harmony.

Understanding the impact each color has on the child, you can not only beautifully, but also usefully decorate the children's space. Using color, you can create a more comfortable play area, a playground, a room for classes and recreation. There should be a lot of all the colors in a child's life. The main thing is to maintain a reasonable balance.

Red color promotes the activation of blood circulation, normalization of metabolism, and also stimulates brain activity. In the winter season, when we are all prone to colds, color therapy recommends seeking help from red, which helps to slow down and stop the inflammatory process. Muscles are also able to respond to red. It promotes relaxation of muscles and joints.

Orange. In color therapy, orange is used for any disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and bladder. If a person suffers from a pulmonary, cardiac or endocrine disease, doctors recommend getting orange curtains. It will have a more than positive effect on the body. The orange color is credited with the ability to balance the hormonal state of the body and cleanse any system of the body from mucus.

Yellow. The area of ​​​​influence of yellow color on our body is the entire digestive tract. Its most beneficial effect is in violation of the liver. With careful use, diseases of the skin and the central nervous system are cured. In color therapy, yellow is called the color - "orderly". It cleanses the body of toxins, controls weight, as it stimulates the secretion of gastric juice necessary for digestion.

Green directly appeals to nature, therefore, apparently, it stimulates well all restorative processes: fusion of fractures, growth of new tissues of all kinds. This is a more versatile color than red or yellow, so it works equally well in both the heart and kidney areas. Green has a moderate anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect. Providing a tonic effect, relieves headaches and stabilizes blood pressure.

Blue is one of the most healing colors, as it has a beneficial effect on most systems of the human body. Its main function is to relieve pain. Blue is actively used in the treatment of burns, bruises, inflammation. Blue will help with feverish conditions. Under the influence of this color, the course of diseases of the endocrine system is facilitated, and in small doses, blue is used in the treatment of diseases of the thyroid gland and kidneys. It has a beneficial effect on the skeletal system, especially on the spine.

7 soothing colors for a child's room

8 February 2019

Do you want to create a space filled with serenity and tranquility for your baby? Choosing the right color for a nursery is where to start!

According to psychologists, the color of a room can have quite a significant impact on a child's psyche, affecting everything from mood to physical well-being. But you don't need to have a degree to properly harness the positive psychological effects of color. Armed with the right knowledge and a can of paint, you can easily transform a large, lonely room into a haven for your little one's restful sleep. Just choose one of these soothing colors and let the science do its thing!

Subdued Blue

Photo by Kelly Demma Interiors

Like a calm sea or a cloudless sky, soft shades of blue tend to relax the mind and body, giving us the feeling that everything is in order. Exposure to blue is known to physically lower blood pressure, heart rate and respiration, cool the body and prepare it for sleep. Blue also reduces feelings of anxiety and aggression, making it a natural balm for nervous newborns and tantrum-prone toddlers.

However, if your goal is to create a sleep-oriented space, avoid dark blues or blues. While light to medium hues promote sleep, deep, dramatic blues tend to be energizing and sleep can be very restless. Soft, soothing colors like powder blue, aqua, or even light turquoise are much safer.

Muted Green

Photo by nicolepatter23

Green boasts all the nourishing power of Mother Nature, giving us a deep instinctive sense of security that we will grow and prosper in her presence. Green, associated with health, healing, and well-being, reduces anxiety, allowing you to focus better. Studies have even shown that exposure to green can improve reading ability!

When choosing a shade for your children's room, opt for light to medium greens in earthy tones like sage and moss. Blue greens like mint or sea foam are also great choices, combining the soothing properties of both colors.

Pale Purple

Photo Source

Combined with wisdom and spirituality, purple combines the calming properties of blue with the nourishing femininity of pink. Colors such as lavender and lilac create a soft and serene atmosphere, but only in very pale shades. Choose a color that is too dark and your children's room may look rough or gloomy.

To make a good choice, remember that purple will almost always look darker than expected on the wall. Found a color you like? Feel free to choose a color that is at least one or two shades lighter than your original choice, and you will definitely be happy with the end result.

Pastel Pink

Photo It’s a Pretty Prins Life

Pink speaks of unconditional love and compassion, making it suitable for a child’s room, especially for girls. It evokes warm and comfortable feelings that can help your little one relax. But while a soft pink nursery can help your little one become an obedient girl, pink overload can lead to excitement and anxiety in children. To keep your child calm and happy, choose a pale, peach shade or dusty pastel and use sparingly, balancing the color with plenty of neutral space.

Earthy Neutral

Photo Source

Neutrals have a warm, grounding effect and can be a good backdrop to create a cozy atmosphere. Neutrals are easy on the eyes too – literally: earthy shades of beige and brown give baby's developing eye a much-needed break from stimulating color and contrast, allowing your little dreamer to settle down and fall asleep.

Soft White

Photo Source

Like plump, little angels that inhabit fluffy clouds, shades of white are innocent and sweet, evoking a sense of serenity and peace. However, white can also appear cold and can subconsciously encourage stealth.

For a calming white haven, think shabby chic.

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