I work in a group home with kids, and i have the 2-3 yr. I need help teaching them there colors, shapes, etc.?

Question

A lot of them cant even count, or recognize there colors, shapes,etc. I tried just about everything, but Im runnim out of things to do with them, do anybody have any suggestions??? Keep in mind these guys have the attention span of pea....but I love them. what should I do...please help me

Answer 1

Music!! use songs and visual aids to teach concepts. Works great and keeps their attention. try this, make some fish that are different colors. to the tune " here we go round the mulberry bush" sing: (name) is going to catch a fish, catch a fsh, catch a fish, (name ) is going to catch a fish early in the morning. then have him get a fish then sing - (name) caught a (color) fish etc. Helps with names and colors. Or try asking for a color - like Joe find a red fish red fish etc. Look at preschool piggyback song book. It;s great

Answer 2

Point to things in nature or things around you. Ask questions like:

what color are the leaves on that tree?

what color is Sarah's shirt?

what shape are the wheels on that car?

what shape is the top of the roof?

what shape is the stop sign?

what color is the eraser on Brian's pencil?

what color is Sponge Bob?

For counting:

count the number of steps from their desk to the door.

count how many children are wearing white shoes.

count while doing jumping jacks, push-ups, etc..

count how many boards are on the bridge of the big-toy.

count how many steps there are the go up to the slide.

In other words get them out of their desks and get them active when they learn. Not all the time, of course.

Answer 3

I agree with the repetition theme.  Just have lots of activities using colours, numbers and shapes and keep reiterating the colour, the number or the shape and indeed the fact that this is the colour or the number or the shape.  

They are eager to learn at that age so provided you keep their attention don't be discouraged by the short term setbacks.  Their attention spans are short because there is so much to see and to do!

Answer 4

Every kid loves candy I learned that skittels was the easiest way to teach a three year old his colors.....

Answer 5

maybe you want to get like a litte education game or some felt have the kids help you cut out the fun shapes and go down the line and see who can remember what shape is what. Try a game where you can keep repeating the shapes so they can absorb the information in there brain.

Answer 6

don't worry like that they will all recognize the different colors, shapes and so on in time...

just show them all the colors and tell them the name each time you come across them ... make it like a game...

eg: give me the red ball or give me the yellow block etc...

Answer 7

Each week I would concentrate on a specific color; shape; number and letter.   This is what they do in my son's daycare and he looks forward telling me about what color/shape/number or letter he learned each week.  Good luck

Answer 8

I worked w/ my kids at home at that tender age and I remember those days vividly.  Flash cards, repetition, and movies.  Sesaeme street takes the cake with numbers, colors and shapes, but there is a lot of other good educational shows as well.  The Dollar Tree, (any cheap store) has plenty of books, coloring books, flash cards and other good pre-k related material.  And just remember not to give up, it's hard at first, but most kids love learning as long as you have fun w/ it.  It doesn't have to be serious learning all the time, make up games that include the learning objectives you want to teach them.