Boxes of Colors
Here's What To Do
1
Make two color boxes for me to explore. Put items of one color in one box, and items of another color in a second box. Examples of colored items:
- socks
- blocks
- crayons
- paper
- cups
- toy cars
2
Let me play and explore, and talk about the items and their colors as I play.
3
Then, show me how to sort the items by color again, putting them back in the boxes they started in.
4
(Optional) Repeat with other colors.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Sit on the floor with me and settle in to play.
E
Engage:
- "This box is all blue things! That's a blue sock. Now you've got a blue crayon…" (etc.)
- Can you help me put all the red things in this box, and all the blue things in this box?
E
Encourage:
- "Oops! That sock is purple, so it should go in this box with all the other purple things."
- "Hooray! That car is green, and you put it in the box for green things!"
R
Reflect:
- Do I seem to understand any color words? Do I seem to have a "favorite" color?
Not quite ready?
Colors are a tricky concept, and it may take me quite some time to know all my colors with accuracy. Keep labeling objects' colors throughout the day to help me learn.
Ready for more?
Show me a colored object, and see if I can find another item that matches that color.
As your child masters this skill...
They will begin to understand which words describe which colors (but they probably won't have this concept mastered yet.)