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So in week 2 of the Stage 2 classes, we introduce colours. I have to say, the look on the faces of the grown ups as I talk and sign them through the main colours of the rainbow, plus a handful more, can be highly entertaining.... the degree of concentration is very high. Aside from the sheer number of signs that colours introduces in one burst in one short class, there is some important information to impart about HOW to teach colours to your toddler. I must point out that colour recognition is not usually expected by child development professionals until most children are around 3 years or more - so I would like to stress that, whilst we teach colour signs to you in the toddler class, please do not think that your toddler must/should be successfully identifying colours! Our class offers you ideas to get you in the right frame of mind. Of course, just as with anything, you are your child's main teacher and mentor - so it stands to reason that if you show your child colours and explore different colours in the world around you, then he or she will stand a chance of learning about colours earlier than may be "expected". It is always your choice though! In my experience of teaching babysigning classes, I have realised that there seem to be two principal stages of colour learning. The first, and possibly the harder of the two, is to help your child to understand the concept of colour. The second stage is to help them distinguish and correctly identify different colours. Stage 1 of colour learning. First of all, a child needs to grasp that colours exist! Quite a big ask for their brains, when it's actually quite an abstract concept. I believe that I have hit upon a successful and EASY way of helping this along, though. What you need: Several items (e.g., blocks, cars, socks, balls, etc,) that are identical in every respect apart from their colour. Teaching the concept of colour Gather the items together and talk with your child about the similarities you see. The same shape, the same weight, the same name. Next (you guessed it!), talk about the fact that the items are the same apart from ONE THING. Then explain that the items are DIFFERENT COLOURS. Pretty simple! It DOES work though - I promise. Of course, your child is unlikely to grasp the concept the first time that you play this colour game. But you wouldn't expect them to ride a bike the first time either, would you? Stage 2 of colour teaching - the ACTUAL colours What you will need:Several items (e.g., blocks, cars, socks, balls, etc,) that are different in every respect apart from their colour. Teaching a specific colour Gather the items together and talk with your child about the differences you see. The different shapes, the different uses, the different names (etc.). Next talk about the fact that the items are DIFFERENT apart from ONE THING. Then explain that the items are THE SAME COLOUR. There are many resources on the internet to help your child with colours - from craft activities to SmartPhone apps to games to play at home. Here's a link that I particularly like: http://www.underfives.co.uk/colourshr.html
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AuthorTrish Cummings - waxing lyrical about babysigning, babies, toddlers, parenting, and sharing her many opinions :) lover of South East London, ex pat of Cornwall. Archives
November 2015
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I love The Imagination Tree http://www.theimaginationtree.com/
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