Good tips to teach colors to a 3 yr old?

Question

My 3 yr old boy still doesn't know his colors. I try to teach him almost everyday at home , store , everywhere but he does not seem to get it. He can match them by color so he is not color blind. He just can't name them correctly or if I ask "Show me the red one" , most of the time he is wrong , he gets it sometimes but I think it just by chance . He just turned 3 last month and from what I have been reading he should know at least 2 colors by now. He can count to 10 in two languages,knows all shapes , most letters but I am not sure how to teach him colors.
Also he is very shy with people and likes to throw ripped paper (in small pieces ) in the air . He does that 2-3 times a day. I was wondering if this is some autism symptom?

Answer 1

I doubt this is a symptom of autism. The primary symptom of autism is communication challenges, of various sorts. Can he talk to you? Does he talk to people he is familiar with? Is he only shy with strangers? Does he look you and people he knows in the eye?

A simple way to teach colors, which can be confusing to children, is to paint wood blocks of the exact SAME shape (this is important), different colors. Start with the primary colors, red, blue, and yellow -using child-safe paint, of course.

Have several blocks of each color. Start by mixing them all up where you are going to play with him. Do some unspecified (non-directed) play. Then, pick out a block, and say it's color. Now put it just out of his reach. Pick out another block of the same color, and repeat the process.

Now it's his turn. Ask him if he can find a block of that color. If he is right, congratulate him enthusiastically. If he seems to be through with the game for today, move on, don't push.

If he is wrong, don't look sad or sound disappointed. Say something like, "not that one, try again." Once he picks out the correct color, be generous with your praise, even giving him a hug. If he wants to do more, go ahead. But stop if he seems disinterested.

Try again the next day. He will have noticed that you find only the (let's say red) blocks, ignoring the yellow and blue blocks, and may be curious about them. Until he can name the red block as red, though, you ignore them, still not admonishing him (negative discipline really isn't effective.) When he gives the correct blocks the right name, he gets a big hug again.

When you are sure he knows red, move on to the next color, say blue. Repeat the process as above. He will probably want to move forward to both colors. If he indicates he does, try it to see if he can do that. Again, no scolding or admonishments -just rewards for success. When he is proficient with the primary colors, you can paint some new blocks with the secondary colors, green, orange, and purple. These may take longer to learn, don't worry. We all learn at different rates.

If he seems unable to learn the colors, it's time to check with your pediatrician and perhaps a child psychologist or social worker. They can help figure out if he has learning disabilities, is red-green colorblind (they can see the other colors) or just needs more time. Never let him feel like anything is wrong, or that you are disgusted or disappointed with him. That's the most important point in all of this. Have fun with trying.

Answer 2

Sounds like your new three year old is doing great! I can't say from what you have told me whether he is autistic or not, but he sounds very bright. Being shy isn't a sign of Autism. If he is socially delayed, has trouble asking or answering questions, prefer solitary play to playing with peers, has some language delays...those are signs of possible Autism. Don't get scared if you answered yes to any of these signs though. Some children just have language delays and show these signs as well. You would have to have him examined by a neurologist to determine if he is Autistic. He would need a medical diagnosis to be certain.

As far as teaching your child his colors, it sounds like he is doing well if he can match his colors. That is the first step. I work with 3-5 year olds and I have some 4 year olds that still have trouble telling me the correct color when asked. Children are often overwhelmed by all the attributes something can have such as shape, size, color etc. I would recommend when he is playing, saying something like look honey you have the red car. "What color is your car?" Have him tell you it is red after you have just told him. Then say look, "here is a blue car." "What color is this car?" he would then respond blue. Keep practicing this and he will learn eventually. Work on just the primary colors first or his favorite colors. After you have told him both red and blue. Lay both cars down and tell him to play with the red/blue car. See if he chooses the right color. Then ask again, "what color car do you have?" "What color car does mommy have?" If he chooses the incorrect color, don't say no....just ask him is that (what ever color you asked him to get)? I think that one is (whatever color it really is.) Try again, take the red/blue car.

He will come along soon enough. Children are like sponges and learn things in their own time. You are doing a wonderful job working with him. I know a lot of children that don't know the things your son already does. Take a breath and just enjoy these early years and don't get too stressed about him not picking up his colors easily. It will come in time. The important thing is to make it fun, make it a game. Children learn best through playing.

Answer 3

just keep doing what your doing with the colors.He will get it when he's ready. It may be a while before he knows them and that's fine. He is doing really good with the letters, shapes and numbers.

If throwing ripped papers is the only thing he is doing then you have no reason to think of autism. (lots of kids are shy-no worries) If you look at all the signs and symptoms of autism you will see something (or a few things) in most all children. That doesn't mean they are autistic. If your seeing any other signs you could talk to your pediatrician.

Answer 4

Be very careful about labeling your child...He will be okay...songs are the best way to teach your children about colors. Songs create patterns in the brain and will help him to identify the tune with the colors. Autism is something that can only be diagnosed by your doctor. Throwing paper in the air is just something kids like to do..give him some glue sticks and have him glue the ripped papers to a larger piece of paper...this is a great thing to occupy them.

Answer 5

I am not a doctor but I don't think your son is Autistic...

Use dvd's and vhs movies to help him it is third party and it is not coming from you so he may take it better. you can get these movies free of charge at your local library. Also you say that you work with him at home, this poses a question, is he shy because he is never around other children?
If so, if he is at home for the most part, then he will be shy around other children because he doesn't have the constant opportunity to be around other active children.
Take him to McDonalds to run around, the park, chuck e cheese, get him in the atmosphere where the children are safe to roam and interact.

As far as the movies my children love the nick jr series as well as Sesame Street also use blocks take it back to 6 month period and forget his age and concentrate on his abilities that he is strong in.
Remember the yellow bucket with the blue top and the four shapes well use that to connect the triangle is blue... this square is red...

I hope this helps

Answer 6

Lay crayons out on the floor, ask him to pick out 2 of his fav. Keep those two handy, and work on learning just those two until he has them down, even if it's several weeks. After that let him pick one more, and incorporate it into remembering the two he knows. Many times children don't retain things, because too much is being introduced to them at once. Also, make sure and point out other things you come across that are the same colors as the ones he's learning. Pull out the crayon, and say look at the blanket, is the blanket blue too?? etc.

Answer 7

try associating colors with real object...like red apple... and go on from there. Although he is a child he might think colors are not as reliable and useful as shapes and his other toys. When you speak to him also associate that with color...like look at that big blue sky....or lets wear the green shirt today. Soon he would be able to coordinate colors with shapes and everyday objects.
Do not worry that something is wrong with your child if he does not learn certain things at the preferred rate. We all pick up things at different rates.

Answer 8

He's only 3. I wouldn't worry about things like that yet. I think the ripped paper is just fun for him. Maybe you two could make colored confetti to throw and say the colors as you pick up the pieces.

Answer 9

Not sure about the autism I would have that checked by the D.R. but my god daughter learned her colors by playing a game we would lay on the floor and she would have to tell me what color that the block was and when she was right I would slide it across the floor to her she had it down within a week that was 15yrs ago I also taught her to tie her shoes by the age of 2 hope this helps and good luck

Answer 10

You could have your child tested for Autism. But don't rush your child. If they were 5 and about to start pre-K then the panic or rush to think something is wrong is proper. Use everyday magazines, toys, and food. Say things like, I like red do you. Show the red apple, then try a green apple, red grapes, green grape etc. If you allow your child to have candy. I bet the can pick red candy every time. lol