Incorporate shapes and colors into the classroom environment and routine. For example, cut various shapes out of colored construction paper. Cover the shapes with contact paper or laminate them. Alternatively, buy rubber mats in various colors and shapes. Place these mats or sturdy paper shapes on the carpet at group time for children to sit on. Hand each child a small, coordinating paper shape and ask him to find the one that matches to determine where to sit. Use paper shapes to label cubbies, toy boxes and art supplies. Make laminated snack mats with shapes or colors programmed on them.
Share stories about colors and shapes. Try "Mouse Paint" and "Mouse Shapes" by Ellen Stoll Walsh, or "White Rabbit's Color Book" by Alan Baker. Leo Lionni's classic tale "Little Blue and Little Yellow" combines a lesson on friendship with color concepts. Tana Hoban's graphic photograph books are also a good choice. Try "Shapes, Shapes, Shapes," "Of Colors and Things" or "I Read Signs."
Games teach shapes and colors. Make your own laminated games from construction paper, or buy small sets of plastic bears, fruit or shapes from educational supply stores. These toys seem expensive, but they are versatile and you'll use them frequently. Sort the toys by color, shape or size, arrange them in patterns or count them. Provide puzzles, rubber band boards, shape tiles and blocks to explore shapes.
Offer red, yellow and blue paint to the children. Once they have explored mixing the paints on their papers to make new colors, try mixing paint in jars to create new shades. Add white to make pastels. Encourage the children to name the new colors and label the jars. Mix food coloring with corn syrup to make a shiny, brilliant paint. Cut shapes out of construction paper, aluminum foil, corrugated paper or scrapbook paper. Make collages with the various shapes.