Colors

Colors.   This week, I thought we would try to focus on colors.  My rationale is this:  I can apply this learning concept in all places and all times.  We traveled to visit our amazing nephew/cousin on his second birthday, and I wanted to plan something that I could apply easily to travel.  Inasmuch, I settled on colors.  H has some difficulty differentiating between red and green.  I thought we could spend some extra time here given the scope of the week.

Our week:

Our learning activities were the following:

The letter “L” – We use action letters from http://littleadventurespreschoolblogspot.com. H traces the letter L and learns about words starting with L. 

Color Puzzles – I found some puzzles with different shapes to fit into a square and allowed the kids to enjoy and play.  Both used them on the plane ride as well as at home.  H was encouraged to identify the colors that were in the puzzle.  These puzzles were difficult by my standard, but I’m always amazed at how children can view things in a different way and figure them out.

Color by Letter - To affirm and to work on his colors, H worked on color by letters worksheets.  He still hasn’t mastered his “in the line” coloring, but he did quite well selecting the correct color and letter.  

Primary/Secondary Color – We receive Koala Crate, and this month we received these amazing color “windows” that allowed H to look at what happens when you combine primary colors to create secondary colors. 

Games and Activities:

Roll and Play  – My best friend introduced me to this game.  Roll and Play is an awesome game for Toddlers.  Truly.  It assists in the foundation of colors, emotion, counting, animals, and interaction.  Each color dictates a different activity.  Both children love rolling the cube and following the game instruction.  A great gift idea just in time for Christmas!

Colored Spaghetti– Using cooked spaghetti, olive oil, and food coloring, I made colored spaghetti.  Simply cook the spaghetti, add olive oil and food coloring to your brightness liking and voila, colored spaghetti. Both kids LOVED (as did Bumper) this spaghetti.  Initially, the kids were introduced to the colors individually and then combined all of the colors to just enjoy the squishy, slimy noodles.

Colored Rice – The kids helped me make colored rice.  This colored rice is one of my favorite sensory activities.  Ever.  To make the rice, use 1 cup of rice, 1 TBSP of vinegar and food coloring.  Place the rice on parchment paper to dry.  The kids were responsible for shaking the bags of rice to mix and make the color.  I use this rice all the time and it’s easy to sto

re and reuse!

Find and combine the colored toys – H was instructed to find toys around his room that were specific color.  We have also included these found smaller toys in sensory bins previously.  Ness loves differentiating between the shapes and textures.

Color Walk – On our walks, H was encouraged to identify colors.  I used the “I spy something pink, blue, …” to encourage his fascination.

Art Projects:

Rainbow of Fruit loops  – Pretty self explanatory, but we made a rainbow with fruit loops.  H glued the fruit loops onto a page.  We hung it up outside for the birds.

Shaving Cream Color Art – Using shaving cream and food coloring, I created colored shaving cream.  The kids were able to create a sensory, colorful masterpiece.  Ness enjoyed this a great deal. 

Water Color Painting – I love watercolors.  We have previously used the glue and salt technique with watercolors.  If you have the opportunity, try it.  It creates a neat effect on the page.  To complete, use watercolor paper.  Have the kids paint with water colors, then using clear glue, squeeze onto the page.  You can create an additional effect by letting the kids sprinkle salt.  It’s neat.

 

Books:

Brown Bear, Brown Bear

The Wonders of the Color Wheel

Special Treats: 

Rainbow Yogurt Pops - To make, I used food coloring to color yogurt.  I placed the colors in layers and then froze the yogurt on a stick.  My kids go crazy over yogurt.  It's a food group, thus, this was a tasty, technicolored, treat they both enjoyed.

At the end of this extended week, H has a great grasp on his colors but still struggles with red and green.  Hopefully, he won’t have some color blindness.  I can’t think of anyone from my family who is colorblind, but time will tell.  Perhaps I need to approach those colors in a different way.  Insights?