Learning colours through play
Use real objects, clear colour cards and simple experiments to explore colour words without turning play into a quiz.
Read the guide ↗Ideas to try together
Shapes, colours and patterns
Choose playful matching, mixing and pattern activities, with clear examples and flexible ways to make the task easier or harder. A triangle still has three sides when you turn it around. Change one feature at a time, and invite your child to explain what they notice.
Guides to explore
Before you begin
Should children name a shape before sorting it?
No. Matching, turning and feeling shapes give you ways to explore them before every name is familiar. Offer a word in context rather than turning each game into a naming test.
How do I choose a useful colour or shape activity?
Choose one feature to notice: the outline, the colour or the order of a pattern. Use a few clear examples first. Add another sorting rule when it gives you something useful to discuss.