Matching Colored Objects

Safety

Every object must not fit the small parts test cylinder (1.25 in. × 2.25 in.).
Any ball must be at least 5 cm across; balls under 1.75 in. (4.4 cm) are banned for children under 3 by US federal rule (16 C.F.R. 1500.18(a)(17)).

1
Carry the basket to the table and sit beside the child.
2
Take out one red and one blue object and place them in a column on the left of the tray.
3
Take out the second red object, look at the two in the column, and place it beside the red one. Say, "Red. Same."
4
Take out the second blue object and place it beside the blue one. Say, "Blue. Same." Point of interest: the two pairs side by side.
5
Put all four objects back in the basket and invite the child to pair them.
6
When the child pairs them easily, give the second period: "Show me red." "Show me blue."

With two or three strongly different colors, a wrong pair is easy to see; each object needs a partner that looks the same.

Toddlers get the first period (naming) and second period ("Show me"); the third period ("What color is this?") waits until the child talks freely.