Many may know this format (way of playing) as "Memory." We have called it "Search" since my children were little. The rules are simple. Deal out any number of paired cards, face-down. Players take turns selecting two cards in an attempt to find pairs which they collect.
Here Diana is the only player, while I watch and encourage her. We also name the colors as she turns over a color. Diana turns up a yellow card. She then looks for its match.
She finds the match. The two yellows make a pair which Diana collects...
...and sets aside.
After collecting all the pairs, Diana is ready to play again.
Diana played several games and it was interesting that she always turned up the upper left-hand corner card first every time. Here she finds a yellow.,
Having made the pair of yellows, she selects the new upper left-hand corner card. This time finding a blue card and looking for its match right below it. However, this must not have matched...
...as she later finds the match in another spot.
Finishing up that game, Diana is ready to play again and again and again.
Learning colors can be so much fun! She also loves the attention and time with Grandma.
Playing Search was a new format for Diana. As she learns this way of playing a little better, we will add more cards for her to match.
Memory or Concentration is a great game to teach little ones. With just a few cards very young children can learn the rules of play. As they get older or more adapt at the skill involved a more difficult game can be made by simply adding more cards.
To begin with toddlers, let's use circles of 8 to 10 different colors - two of each color.
To begin play, use only four cards, say the two red circles and two blue ones. Place the four cards face up on the playing surface. Point to a red circle and say "This is the red circle. Can you find another red circle?" If the child is correct let him collect both cards. If incorrect, gently tell him it is a BLUE circle and ask him to try again. Play with just the two colors face up until the child understands what the match is.
Then you can do one of two things...
1. Add another color and continue playing face up. Give the child a chance to do the asking sometimes as well and you make the matches.
2. Turn the four cards face down and turn up one card. Ask the child the color. Turn it back down. Then repeat with all four cards. Then again turn up one card and name the color. Ask the child if he remembers where the other red circle is. Let him collect the cards if correct and replace both cards if incorrect and continue playing. If this concept of having the cards face-down seems too overwhelming for the child return to face-up play, just adding more colors as the child seems to master the ones learned so far. Continue adding cards to each form of play as the child's skill level and ability increases.
I am sure that this reminder is not necessary but re-enforcing this game with books on colors, talking about colors, finding colors in your surroundings, naming colors of clothing and other items will make the child more quickly aware of the colors and their names.
Remember learning is to be fun. If the child is not enjoying the game, set it aside for another time. He may just be tired. Or he may not yet be ready for this skill or a game of this type.
