Presentation

  1. 1

    Take out the tablets and place them at random.

  2. 2

    Pair each tablet with its match and place the pairs in a column.

  3. 3

    On the same or a later day, choose two very different colors (for example red and blue) for a three-period lesson.

  4. 4

    First period: hold up a tablet and say "red"; hold the other and say "blue".

  5. 5

    Second period: ask the child to "show me red", "give me blue", "put red by the window", changing positions each time.

  6. 6

    Third period: point and ask "What is this?"

  7. 7

    Teach two or three colors per lesson until the child knows all eleven.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Start with fewer pairs, then all eleven mixed together.
  2. Find objects in the room of each color.
  3. Play a game in which one child names a color and another brings the tablet.
  4. Pair the tablets with eyes open after looking at each for only a moment.

Control of error

Each color has exactly one partner; a mismatched pair leaves two tablets at the end that do not match.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Pairs all eleven colors correctly
  • Names all eleven colors
  • Uses color names in conversation

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.