How to Introduce and Teach Sorting and Colors to Infants and Children (age 6 Mos - 4 Yrs)

This is a great way to introduce colors and sorting to the tiniest of learners. I am an educator and have used this in both tutoring toddler twins as well as my own child.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• containers/cups of various colors
• toys or objects of various colors

1. Gather up a few containers (cups, bowls, or any container each with its own primary color. Two to four primary colors is plenty depending on age and ability). Find baby's toys or objects he/she enjoys around the house that correspond with the primary colors of the containers you've chosen.

2. First, you must demonstrate to your student/child how the activity will work. As you lay out each of the cups, one at a time, say the color of that container and set it down. Then, with the items you've chosen laid out on the floor in front of you, pick one up, say the color and place into the container. Point to the container again, after you place the toy inside and say the color again. Continue this process until all items have been placed in the cups/containers.

3. Start again, this time having your child pick an object. You will say the color, and then point to the cup with the corresponding color, say the color of the cup and assist your child/student placing the object into the cup. Praise and clap for your child as each object is placed in the correct cup.

Tips & Warnings

• After a week or so (if infants), or a few tries (if older toddlers), encourage your child/student to try on their own. Start out using only two colors/containers to encourage a decent success rate, praising your child for their successes. Slowly add more colors.
• This can be expanded to introduce variants of colors such as fuchsia, olive, burgundy, etc. Just color using crayons on a plain white piece of paper and tape onto the inside of a clear plastic container. Then allow your child to sort the crayons into their appropriate bowl.