Introduce the colors visually. Show color cards or point out various objects around the room that are different colors. If a preschooler can't recall the name of the color, then say the name of the color and have the child repeat the word. Play a color scavenger hunt game where you look around for a certain color. You also could use magazines or books for this game.
Sing the song "If You're Wearing Red" to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It:"
If you're wearing (red) today, clap your hands,
If you're wearing (red) today, clap your hands,
If you're wearing (red) today, If you're wearing (red) today,
If you're wearing (red) today, clap your hands.
(Change the color and the action:)
If you're wearing blue today, turn around....
Repeat until you've incorporated all the basic colors into the song.
Sing the song "Painting Fun" to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star:"
I know the colors for painting fun,
Green like grass and yellow sun,
An orange pumpkin and white snow,
A red rose and a black crow,
Blue like a mailbox, brown like an ape,
A pink pig and some purple grapes.
Repeat several times, each time leaving out a few words to see if the students can fill in the blank. This helps them to remember the song.
Set up paint stations with purple, pink, brown, blue, black, red, white, orange, green, and yellow paints. Allow the children to have time to paint freely and experiment with color. You might want to play soft music in the background. After about 15 minutes of painting, have the students help with cleaning up. Then sing the song from Step 3 a few more times to reinforce the color concepts.