This is the first in what I hope to be a summer series on preschoolers. I have had five preschoolers so far, and they all were very different. I’ve tailored my preschool activities for each child. My boys have loved many of the “action” activities, while my girls have preferred seat work. This might be different in your house, and even with each individual child.
Each week I hope to post some ideas of what to do with your preschoolers this summer. Even if you are not a homeschooler, these activities will benefit any young child, and give them a head start in school.
Color Flash Cards
Get some construction paper and cut out a flashcard sized rectangles in basic colors; Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, white, black, brown, and gray. Then on the cards in bold letters write the color name. Use these cards just like flash cards. Hold them up and say, “What color is this card?” When they see the color they will also see the spelling of the color, which will help them later on. You can also give them the card and ask them to find something in the room that is the same color. If you have counting blocks or other colorful manipulatives you can have your child put the manipulatives on the card that is the same color. A favorite in our house is to get a bag of colorful candy and have the child match up the candy and the cards. Then they can eat one color of candy when they are finished. If you want them to last through several children I would cover them with contact paper. These cards have been enjoyed by all my preschoolers.
Color Matching
If you have been painting your house, as I have, you probably have numerous paint chips lying around just waiting to be put to good use. Have your children work on their matching skills by either cutting the chips in half (horizontally) or using two of each chip. Glue the one set of chips to the inside of a manila folder. Then attach a plastic bag or envelope to the other side of folder to hold the second set of chips. Have your child match up the chips. You can make this more difficult by using shades of the same color, or easier by using very different colors. My children love to play this “game” and don’t even realize they are learning. My latest preschooler also likes to pick our her favorite color from the bunch. It changes almost every time.
These are some color activities we do in our house, what do you do in yours?
Amy says
Something I’m going to try tomorrow as we clean the disaster areas we like to call kids’ bedrooms… I’ll call out “Bring me the red blocks, blue shirt, etc.” whatever I see. They’ll work on colors AND organization and hopefully I’ll have their help and attention for more than 5 minutes. 😉
List Mama says
Great ideas! I am on vacation, but plan to start working on some learning activities for my 3 kids when we get home. Great place to start.
Jen
http://www.ListPlanIt.com
Debbie says
Great ideas! We just talk a lot about what color things are.
D'Anna says
Great ideas, thanks!
Ariel says
What a clever idea!
Linda says
Great idea!!
Linda
Alisa says
My kids are long past that age, but one of my favorite things to do with them right before nap time, was to go for a nature walk around the neighborhood and let them collect as many sticks, rocks, and pick flowers (from the neighbors that didn’t mind), their most favorite was the dandelions pulled from lawns. Then we’d come home and after nap/snack they’d make “arrangements” on the back patio. I learned just as much as they did about how shapes, textures, and sizes fit together. At 10 & 7, they still love to collect these things around the neighborhood. I miss those days.
Sonshine says
great ideas!
one thing I have done is gotten a small bag of M&Ms and let them work at sorting the colors. I also like to use them for counting how many of each color too. 🙂 Then when they are all done they are free to eat them. 🙂
Kristen says
That is a great file folder game! If you go to preschoolprintables.com they also have a bunch more that you can print off and color. My daycare kids love them!
kari & kijsa says
Love these ideas!! We have scads of paint chips, and now a great game for the youngest!!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
Christine says
Love those ideas! We have often played a color game in the car. I actually began doing this to stop my then-3-yea-old daughter’s whining. I would say “Let’s find 3 blue cars!” and we’d all watch and call out when we saw one. Then we’d move to other colors. Some would be hard (like gold or orange cars) but it kept them occupied. Now my 2.5 year old loves yellow cars and shouts it out every time he sees one!!
Angie @ Many Little Blessings says
Fun color matching game! I think I’ll have to make one to use during therapy, since I’m working on colors with some of the kids I work with.
Kelsey says
Thats such a good idea!
busymama Karen says
Thanks for the ideas. I am going to try them.
Audra Marie says
My young ones would love these activities. 🙂 I’m looking forward to the series. 🙂 I’m subscribing for sure. 🙂
Leslie says
I am a preschool teacher at a Christian school and can’t wait to read what you post in this series!
tara@from dawn till rusk says
Five preschoolers?
Good heavens! Will certainly have to keep coming back for advice from a past master then!
Leah says
Great ideas! I have 3 kiddos now…ages 4, 2.5, and 4 months. I take flashcards everywhere in the diaper bag. That way, when we are waiting somewhere (like the doctor’s office) I can pull them out and play a game w/ them. I especially like the ones that have a letter on one side and a picture on the other. The 4 year old says the letter and the 2.5 year old says the name of the picture item (he has a sever speech delay due to some other health prob’s, so this is very beneficial for him).
I love the color games, I will definitely be using them for my kiddos!
Thanks and blessings to you today!
jodi says
Great ideas – thanks so much! My little guy is 21 mos, so I’m just starting to think in this direction! Can’t wait to see your further posts!