Learning colors online is a fun way to introduce computer skills to your child. Interactive games help them recognize and use colors without the mess of paints. While some paid educational websites such as JumpStart.com offer games that teach colors, there are plenty of free online games your child can play to learn how to recognize colors, learn color mixing, and experiment with color while they create original artwork. Try to point out colors in the environment as well. This will help your child apply what he learns online to the real world.
Teach Colors Online
Step 1
Introduce your child to an online coloring book in a theme she enjoys. Coloring.com has several simple pictures your child can color online or print and color with crayons. Point out the colors she used, for example, "I see you have colored a yellow butterfly." or "I like the purple wings on your bird picture." Encourage your child to talk to you about her picture.
The National Gallery of Art's Paintbox program is an online painting program designed for older kids with more options and features. This program is good for helping elementary kids learn warm and cool colors, as well as how colors can affect the mood of a painting.
Step 2
Play color mixing games at the PBS Kids website. Curious George teaches kids how to mix primary colors to make the secondary colors green, purple, and orange. They can mix in different quantities to make various shades of browns, grays, and black. Kids love to experiment with mixing paints, and this program allows them to do so without the mess of tempera or finger paints.
Step 3
Play color matching games with Clifford at the PBS Kids website. Your child will be asked to identify the balloon that matches the one a character is holding. Play with your child and give him a chance to correct your mistakes. For example, if the game asks him to match a green balloon, point to the red one and ask him "is this the green balloon?" When he indicates that it is not the correct choice, reply "No? Which balloon is the green one?" This gives him a chance to verify what you have told him and choose the correct answer.
Tips and Warnings
- Point out colors in the environment to extend your child's learning. Show your child the red stop sign or the green traffic light. Ask her to tell you what color the cars in the parking lot are or what color her clothes are.
Things You'll Need
- Computer with Internet access
- Printer (optional)
- Crayons (optional)
