Fun foundations class: BLUE
BLUE!
In this research study, a group of researchers targeted color learning in children 2-5 years old. The intervention involved phrasing sentences so that the object came first in the sentence, then the color. For instance: "The ball is red" rather than "the red ball" OR "the cat is gray" rather than "the gray cat." They found that the children who heard colors discussed in this manner all improved in their ability to learn colors!
- I like to target specific colors that are very noticeable in our environment at that time
- Color learning is NOT just a language skill – it is a huge perception skill as well, and it takes time and age for the ability to perceive and categorize different colors to emerge
- Additionally, children have to learn the skill of categorization in order to begin understanding the language concepts involved with color
- Did you know? Some cultures have 2 color categories, others have 20!
- Your child's ability to recognize different colors improves around 18 months, plus children begin to notice similarities and differences in shape, size, and texture around that age
- Around 2, children can sort items into categories - for example, toys into one basket and blankets into another
- At around 36 months, children can identify around 3 colors and name 1 color
- In the meantime, he'll add new colors to his repertoire through practice. Children love looking at picture books of objects organized by shape and color.
- Work on targeting nonverbal identification first.
- For example, ask him to show you a red square then let him point to it.
- Say, "I see a red flower,"
- If he's wearing a blue shirt, ask him if he sees anything else around him the same color.
- As he begins to learn the names of the colors, you can reverse the game, pointing to objects yourself and asking, "What color is this triangle?" Either way, he'll delight in showing off his knowledge.
- When he misses one, don't tell him he's wrong (or pretend he's right). Just say the correct name in an encouraging tone.
- Kids learn at their own speed, so don't be too concerned if your child doesn't know as many colors as someone else his age.
- Also, in my experience, 2 year olds often get red and green confused - not sure why!
In this research study, a group of researchers targeted color learning in children 2-5 years old. The intervention involved phrasing sentences so that the object came first in the sentence, then the color. For instance: "The ball is red" rather than "the red ball" OR "the cat is gray" rather than "the gray cat." They found that the children who heard colors discussed in this manner all improved in their ability to learn colors!
skills + strategies discussed in class
sensory activities
For our BLUE class, I brought sensory bins filled with rice I had dyed blue. The dyeing the rice was actually easier than I thought it would be! See the recipe here.
After I dyed the rice, I hit up the dollar store and found lots of blue items - favorites included blue rubber dinosaurs, transparent blue cups for dumping and pouring, blue rubber monsters that the kids could stretch and pull, and blue foam hair rollers.
Want more info on sensory bins in general? Check this out.
I also brought contact paper (hung this on the wall sticky side out) and blue shapes cut from construction paper. The kiddos had a fun time sticking the shapes to the sticky-side of the contact paper.
After I dyed the rice, I hit up the dollar store and found lots of blue items - favorites included blue rubber dinosaurs, transparent blue cups for dumping and pouring, blue rubber monsters that the kids could stretch and pull, and blue foam hair rollers.
Want more info on sensory bins in general? Check this out.
I also brought contact paper (hung this on the wall sticky side out) and blue shapes cut from construction paper. The kiddos had a fun time sticking the shapes to the sticky-side of the contact paper.
Why Do We Do Sensory Activities in Class? Check out the link for more info!
signs taught in class
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BLUE
The sign for BLUE is made by making your dominant hand into a flat hand, with your thumb tucked against your palm (this is the letter "B" in American Sign Language). Now extend your arm out and twist your arm (the wrist doesn't bend). |
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TRUCK
We read "Little Blue Truck," so we also learned the sign for TRUCK! To do the TRUCK sign, simply mimic driving a big semi-truck (with the steering wheel flat near your waist). |
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BIRD
We sang a fun song about some blue pigeons, so we learned the sign for BIRD. To do this sign, you use your index finger and thumb to mimic a bird's beak opening and closing. Hold the back of your hand flat against your face near your lips. |
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Songs from BLUE class
LYRICS FOR "Blue is the Lake" Finger Play
Blue is the lake
Hold arms out in a circle in front of you
Yellow is the sun
Move arms, still in circle, overhead
Silver are the stars when the day is done
Wiggle fingers overhead
Red is the apple
Make a round ball with your fingers in front of you
Green is the tree
Hold arms up like branches
Brown is a cookie for you and me
Rub tummy + point to child and self
Blue is the lake
Hold arms out in a circle in front of you
Yellow is the sun
Move arms, still in circle, overhead
Silver are the stars when the day is done
Wiggle fingers overhead
Red is the apple
Make a round ball with your fingers in front of you
Green is the tree
Hold arms up like branches
Brown is a cookie for you and me
Rub tummy + point to child and self
LYRICS FOR "3 BLUE PIGEONS"
We used a cookie sheet with magnet birds in class for this song, but if you wanted to do this song at home, you could use puppets, bird toys, cutouts of birds from a quick Google search or even substitute in whatever stuffed animals your child has (for example: "3 Brown Teddy Bears...." and then hide them behind your back).
1. 3 blue pigeons, sitting on a wall.
3 blue pigeons, sitting on a wall.
One flew away!
Awwww...
Now how many blue pigeons??
2. 2 blue pigeons…
3. 1 blue pigeon…
4. No blue pigeons…
One flew back! Yay!
5. 1 blue pigeon…
6. 2 blue pigeons…
7. 3 blue pigeons…
We used a cookie sheet with magnet birds in class for this song, but if you wanted to do this song at home, you could use puppets, bird toys, cutouts of birds from a quick Google search or even substitute in whatever stuffed animals your child has (for example: "3 Brown Teddy Bears...." and then hide them behind your back).
1. 3 blue pigeons, sitting on a wall.
3 blue pigeons, sitting on a wall.
One flew away!
Awwww...
Now how many blue pigeons??
2. 2 blue pigeons…
3. 1 blue pigeon…
4. No blue pigeons…
One flew back! Yay!
5. 1 blue pigeon…
6. 2 blue pigeons…
7. 3 blue pigeons…
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LYRICS FOR "ROCK YOUR BODY TO THE COLORS"
Rock your body to the colors x2 Shake your head to the color RED Twist your shoes to the color BLUE Wiggle like Jello to the color YELLOW Make your body lean to the color GREEN Rock your body to the colors x2 Touch your back to the color BLACK Jump up and down to the color BROWN Stretch to the right for the color WHITE Turn in a circle for the color PURPLE Rock your body to the colors x2 Hands up and sway to the color GREY Use your brain and think to the color PINK Make the shape of an orange for the color ORANGE Fly like a manta to the color MAGENTA Rock your body to the colors x2 |
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LYRICS FOR "WALK AROUND"
Walk around… Now Bounce! Walk around… Side to Side… Walk around… Turn around… Walk around… Now sit down with me |
BOokS FOR TALKING ABOUT BLUE
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The book we read in class was Little Blue Truck by Alice Shertle. This book is very popular these days and one of my little guy's favorites! I love that this book gives lots of practice with animal sounds, and also has a lovely message about how to be a good friend.
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What's the Matter, Bunny Blue? by Nicola Smee: The rhymes in this book make it a great read-aloud. I especially like using this book to talk about BLUE because the rhymes are all based off the word “blue.” A great emphasis for the theme!
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Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard: Grumpy Bird is blue, so this book is great for talking about BLUE. I also love this book for exploring emotions and how we can get past feeling grumpy. Great for practicing the sign for GRUMPY as well! :) In the book, Bird wakes up feeling grumpy. Too grumpy to eat or play. Too grumpy even to fly. "Looks like I'm walking today," says Bird. He walks past Sheep, who offers to keep him company. He walks past Rabbit, who also could use a walk. Raccoon, Beaver, and Fox join in, too. All the while, Bird grows grumpier and grumpier! But before he knows it, a little exercise and companionship help Bird overcome his bad mood. This winsome, refreshingly original story is sure to help kids (and grown-ups) giggle away theirs, too!
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