How can I teach my child colors?

Question

My four y/o Keeps guessing at his colors I work with him all day every day and he just isn't getting it... He guesses at what he thinks I want to hear not what the color is.... I NEED SOME IDEA'S.... I have done the basics coloring books, eye spy, songs... none of which have worked.... Please help

Answer 1

Have you tried leaving it! Not putting so much pressure on him-he may know that you are 'testing' him and iots making him anxious.

However, other ways to try to find out if he knows his colours is to do it informally eg: you are colouring in together say "Fred can you pass me a red pencil?" just casually...if he's wrong just go "not quite" and pick up red yourself. If the children isn't having to say the colour just find it then it may be less pressure on him.

Other colour ideas:

-In everyday life make colour comment like-lets wear the red coat today.

-Board games such as one called "Match-a-balloon"

-Colour code the house eg: pencils go in red box, pens in blue...then you can say "Fred can you get me the red box please".

Also-you may wish to get your son checked by an optician-at 4 he could have difficulties because of a visual problem more than a cognitive problem.

But remember: colours are not the most important thing a child must learn so dont panic too much :)

Answer 2

try getting three crayons for each color. for example 3 reds, 3 greens and so on.  Then tell him to put each color in a seperate pile.  If that doesn't work try getting a few flash cards and write the name of each color on the card and tell him to color something on the card with that color.

Answer 3

START WITH ONE COLOR AND TALK ABOUT ALL THE "RED" THINGS YOU SEE. ALL DAY KEEP TALKING ABOUT RED. THEN MOVE ONTO THE NEXT COLOR. REPEATING IS THE BEST WAY FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN.

Answer 4

no pressure -just keep it in your speech - instead of asking for the truck, ask him to bring you the RED truck - or a GREEN kleenex or a YELLOW cup - you get the idea.  He'll catch on when he's able.  Lots of boys just don't have these things as a priority and when they are ready, they'll pop them all out like they have known them forever. does he go to preschool?  Have him tested for a color deficiency -otherwise, don't stress.

Answer 5

I worked with learning disabled students for over 20 years --   I doubt that is your child's problem. However, he may be color blind.  Males far out number females with that problem.  Ask your pediatrician about it and see you you need to take your child to an eye doctor.  Also, he may be feeling pressure to get it right.  Back off for a week and then introduce just  1 or 2 colors and only work with those till he gets them correct.  Like others have suggested, say "let's have a yellow banana for breakfast", then "let's put on your yellow shirt", "please give me the yellow pencil" -- rather than saying "what color is this?"

Don't stress about it or he'll pick up on it and this will become more of a chore than fun.  He'll be OK, please don't worry.

Answer 6

Try looking here...

http://www.the-preschool-pages.com/Presc...

And also try having a color of the week. Only focus on that color when learning. But talk about all colors during regular day activities.

Answer 7

Go play with him. Get on the floor and play with trucks. Talk about the trucks/toys and refer to them by their color, example-- Mr. Green Truck goes up the hill and makes a noise like this, grrrr.  Teach him when he thinks you are playing with him. After you name all of the trucks/cars/toys and play with them a while, ask your son what their names are. Pretend you forgot their names and see if he can remember.

During the day just point to things and ask him what color it is. This way it is not expected and he isn't dreading it.

Also, during the day discover things and refer to their color as well. Such as, Hey Jimmy do you see that red bird? Jimmy that is a nice yellow shirt she is wearing.

Good luck!!

Answer 8

We've had success teaching some children at our preschool by teaching associations for the colors.  When you talk about the colors, instead of just saying 'red' say "red, like the fire engine", "blue like the sky", "yellow like the sun".  One child was into Thomas the Train, so it was "red like James", "blue like Thomas".  

Other good ideas  listed are matching activities (if he has trouble with matching colors, but understands other matching activities, this could also indicate color blindness) and having a "color" week.  Or fill a box with all red things and put in one different colored item - does he see which one is different and then talk about it.

Answer 9

I do not think that you are being too pushy at all.  I teach kindergarten and I never see students enter at age five that do not know their colors.  Someone mentioned that your child may have a learning disability which could be true.  Does he have trouble learning anything else? (numbers, letters, writing his name...)  Another suggestion would be to take him to the eye doctor.  He may be color blind.  That is more common in males. They do not see in black and white but have trouble with certain colors.  I think that red and orange are particularly hard.  I hope that helps!

Answer 10

well you can buy him some toys

http://www.target.com/Baby-Einstein-Colo...

or maybe you can get him a kids therapist . my bay sister needed a kids therapist to help her with talking and it really helped .

good luck

Answer 11

In pre-school we would focus on a color a week.  

For Example:  Choose Blue for one week and focus on that color alone.  Repetition is always great!  Point out everything blue that week and have him repeat the object and color.  Perhaps, give him blueberries for lunch, or have him make blue sugar cookies with you.  Teach him about the color through his everyday activities.  Blue pants, blue shirt, etc.  Then gradually start asking him about the same objects and it's color later to see if he remembers and can answer on his own.  If he needs more time to focus on that color then extend the time period.  When he understands that color move onto the next.  Green...and so forth.  Good luck,

Ace

Answer 12

Try and get you child to match his colors with everyday things. Like an orange is orange, an apple is red, a banana is yellow.  Things he likes will also help, if he messes up say to him/her do you remeber the apple i gave you last night, its color was?..red. Associating everyday things with colors on his level will help him remember easier. Another was is to teach him symbols to help differenciate between colors or anyhting else for that matter

Answer 13

Is there a history of colour blindness in the family (either side?). The other thing is how bright is your son? If he is very bright he may have picked up that you are concerned and he may be 'playing' with you. It all depends on the nature of the child really.  He may genuinely not be interested in formally learning his colours. In cases like this the more you try the worse it can become , for both of you.  I suggest you make learning fun. Get him to help you sort out the washing for example. Start simple with i need you to help me sort the washing into 2 piles, coloured clothes and white clothes. then extend on from there.  If he gets it wrong don't fuss.  DO some fun colour mixing together, get some paint and let him explore the different shades of green that can be made from blue and yellow, etc.  Also is he in day care/preschool? If so talk to his teachers, they will have some great ideas and advice and may also be able to support you to decide if there may be a visual issue that needs to be addressed. Above all don't make a big fuss, it just makes the child more anxious if he genuinely can't differentiate or stubhorn and resistent if he genuinely does not want to. In the latter these type of children WILL learn when THEY are ready and they normally learn best from their peers, they will naturally copy them. So enjoy precious times together and good luck.

Answer 14

it nothing wrong watching some good old sesame street or those other eduacational shows, and relax he only 4 dont pressure him so much

Answer 15

Read the articles at these 2 links. They should answer your questions appropriately:

http://momadewizkids.com/blog/2008/03/28...

http://momadewizkids.com/blog/2008/04/10...

Rgds

Deepali

Answer 16

He may have a learning disability, which is very common these days. Don't worry, just take him to counselor, and they can give you good advice and people to see about this problem. Hope I helped!