CU 8.04Color Mixing
The child mixes the primary colors (red, yellow, blue) to make secondary colors (orange, green, purple).
Age 4–6Work 4 of 5 in Art
Presentation
- 1
Show the three jars: 'These are the primary colors: red, yellow, and blue.'
- 2
Squeeze a few drops of yellow into one section of the tray.
- 3
Add drops of blue and watch. Say: 'Yellow and blue make green.'
- 4
Mix red and yellow in another section: 'Red and yellow make orange.'
- 5
Mix red and blue: 'Red and blue make purple.'
- 6
Invite the child to repeat and color in the recording sheet.
- 7
On another day, mix paint on a palette and paint with the new colors.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Add white to make lighter tints
- Make a color wheel
- Mix many shades of green and name them
- Mix skin-tone colors to paint self-portraits
Control of error
The color result is visible immediately; a color wheel control card shows the expected results.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Names the primary colors
- Predicts and makes each secondary color
- Uses mixed colors in paintings