The better way to help your toddler learn colors
A study conducted at Stanford University pinpointed an effective way to teach young children about colors, which might call for just a tiny tweak in the way you describe them to your toddler.
Parents typically introduce color by saying “look at the green ball,” or “that’s a red apple.” However, the Stanford study found that reversing the order—“the ball is green” or “the apple is red”—made a significant difference in a toddler’s ability to identify colors.
On average, toddlers start learning to successfully match colors at around two and a half years old. Before they’re able to correctly identify different colors, though, they need an awareness of the concept of color. You might scratch your head if your toddler points to a red balloon and says “blue,” but this is a big breakthrough! Your toddler is starting to understand a complex and relative concept: objects have attributes (size, shape, texture, color) that distinguish them from other objects.
In the Stanford study, psychologists found that even after hours and hours of repetitive training on color words in the traditional order—“this is a purple crayon”—the children’s performance didn’t improve. Our adult brains automatically sort adjectives and nouns, but a young child has not yet learned to do that, so when they hear the phrase “purple crayon,” they may believe “purple” is an object.
When the order was reversed—“this is a crayon that is purple”—the toddlers’ ability to correctly identify colors improved significantly. English grammar is particular in its tendency to put color words before the objects they’re describing. Young kids tend to process language in order, and so the words they hear first have more importance; if they hear the object first, it’s easier for them to learn that what comes next describes it.
Read the study published in Scientific American: “Why Johnny Can’t Name His Colors”
Posted in: 22 - 24 Months, Language, Matching, Child Development
Keep reading
13 - 15 Months
16 - 18 Months
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
The best Montessori and learning toys for 1 year olds
At 12 months old, your toddler is more mobile and curious than ever. The best toys support mobility, fine motor skills, language, and independence. See our best Montessori toys for 1-year-olds.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
25 - 27 Months
28 - 30 Months
31 - 33 Months
34 - 36 Months
What kind of chores are right for my child?
Children as young as 18 months can start taking on regular household responsibilities. These will be simple and straightforward, like wiping up spills or helping set the table, and will require modeling and patience from you.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
13 - 15 Months
16 - 18 Months
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
25 - 27 Months
28 - 30 Months
31 - 33 Months
34 - 36 Months
Why wooden toys make the best playthings
Wooden toys are a staple of Montessori learning. They're durable, beautiful, and inspire wonder for a child's budding imagination.
13 - 15 Months
16 - 18 Months
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Updated Lovevery Play Kits featuring larger, more complex developmental Playthings—plus, a new subscriber-only shop
After play studies, weeks of in-home testing, and thousands of customer surveys, we are excited to announce our updated Play Kits for one-year-olds.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Dirty vs clean: a quick lesson in contrast
Your toddler’s brain loves to grapple with opposites. A great way to involve your toddler in learning about opposites is by exploring the idea of dirty vs clean
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Mess-Free water painting
This water painting activity boosts gross and fine motor skills and is incredibly simple. All you need are paint brushes and a bucket of water.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Cap twist-off board
Twisting caps to loosen and tighten them takes concentration and coordination, and can be done over and over again. This activity reuses disposable baby food pouches to allow your child to practice.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Pipe cleaners and Wiffle Balls
"Posting” is a term used to describe fitting objects into an opening of corresponding size. In this activity, colorful, bendable pipe cleaners fit into Wiffle balls for all kinds of posting fun.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Velcro dot craft sticks
This DIY craft activity has can be taken on car trips and stored easily for future use—and it supports multiple developmental skills as well.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Pop-up paper tunnels
In this activity, your child will push toy cars, trains, planes, and other small vehicles through DIY tunnels, creating a world of pretend play to get lost in.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
DIY Balloon Tennis
This simple DIY is a great source of entertainment and helps develop gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. All it takes is a paper plate, popsicle sticks, and a balloon.
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
Some of the best craft materials can be found in the recycling bin. Here are 3 crafts you can do with your toddler using toilet paper rolls.
22 - 24 Months
Welcome to The Companion Play Kit for months 22-24
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph introduce the CompanionPlay Kit for months 22 to 24 of your toddler's life.
22 - 24 Months
25 - 27 Months
3 easy pincer grasp activities for toddlers
The pincer grasp isn't just for babies. Toddlers need to continue strengthening this coordination and dexterity for future tasks.
22 - 24 Months
Month 22: Don’t buy that gorgeous wooden play kitchen just yet, by Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph
Consider these fun and safe ways to include your toddler in your real kitchen before you buy a new toy kitchen.
22 - 24 Months
Month 22: Ice, ice, baby—try these easy science activities
Sensory exploration of colors, shapes, and textures with your child doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few simple science activities for toddlers.
22 - 24 Months
Month 22: 4 funky ways to make music a part of your toddler’s life
Music is a great way for toddlers to express creativity. Lovevery provides 4 fresh ways to make music a part of your child's life.
22 - 24 Months
Month 22: Is squashing bugs OK? 5 environmental lessons your toddler can learn now
Children react in various ways when they encounter bugs, but what should they do? Here are 5 environmental lessons your toddler can learn now.
22 - 24 Months
Month 23: Make me a match—Understanding your toddler’s matching skills
Matching images, objects, colors, and sound builds a toddler's pattern recognition and visual and short-term memory. Learn how matching skills progress.
22 - 24 Months
The better way to help your toddler learn colors
Lovevery shares the techniques discovered by Stanford University that pinpoint a new, effective way to teach young children about colors.
22 - 24 Months
Month 23: A whole new era of pretend play just started
Learn how to support your todder's pretend play, which is based on their own lived experiences. Imagination play will come later.
22 - 24 Months
Month 23: The pincer grasp is not just for babies
Learn why practicing the pincer grasp can help your child succeed in school and beyond by developing their fine motor skills and hand strength.
22 - 24 Months
Month 24: Why labeling your toddler’s intense feelings can actually help calm them down
Dr. Dan Siegel "name it to tame it" philosophy helps children calm down by acknowleding and labeling their strong emotions.