When Do Children Start Learning Colours and Shapes?
Your baby’s visual world develops faster than you might think. From the very beginning, their brain is working hard to process light, contrast, and motion.
At birth, babies see mostly in black, white, and shades of grey.
Around two to four months, their vision sharpens, and they begin to detect colour — first red, then green, followed by blue and yellow. This is why colourful toys, mobiles, and books are so appealing at this stage.
By around 18 months to two years, toddlers start recognising and naming basic colours. You might hear them say “blue” or “red” when playing, or point to coloured blocks when you ask for them.
By three years old, most children can identify at least one colour, and by age four, they typically recognise and name several. Some children learn these earlier or later — that’s perfectly normal, as every brain develops on its own timeline.
Learning colours often goes hand in hand with recognising shapes and sizes. As toddlers play with different objects, they begin to understand relationships like “big and small” or “round and square.”
Why Colours and Shapes Matter
Learning to recognise colours and shapes is more than a visual skill — it’s a foundation for language development, sorting, memory, and maths.
When a child identifies a “blue circle,” they’re connecting words, visual cues, and categories all at once. These small discoveries strengthen brain connections that support future reading and problem-solving skills.
Fun Activities to Teach Colours and Shapes at Home
You don’t need fancy toys to help your child learn. Everyday play is full of learning opportunities.
1. Shape Sorting and Discovery
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Use foam or wooden blocks of different shapes and colours.
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Say each shape aloud as you hand it to your child: “This is a triangle. It has three sides.”
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Encourage them to find similar shapes around the room — a round plate, a square cushion, a rectangular book.
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As they grow, ask them to group or stack shapes based on what they see.
2. Everyday Shape Talk
Point out shapes as you go about your day — “the wheel is a circle,” “the window is a rectangle,” “the roof looks like a triangle.”
This simple conversation helps children connect shapes to real-life objects.
3. Colour Sorting Games
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Gather objects of different colours (rings, blocks, socks, or spoons).
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Say the colour aloud as you pick each one up: “Red sock,” “blue spoon.”
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Ask your child to find another item that’s the same colour.
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As they get older, try sorting by two qualities: “Find all the blue squares.”
4. Bottle or Can Sorting Activity
Reuse small bottles or tins by wrapping them in coloured paper — red, yellow, blue, green.
Give your child beads, buttons, or pom-poms in matching colours and let them “post” each item into the correct container. It’s excellent for hand-eye coordination and focus.
5. Art and Outdoor Play
Painting, drawing with chalk, or picking flowers outside all strengthen colour recognition naturally. Ask questions like, “What colour is this leaf?” or “Can you find something orange in the garden?”
Encouragement for Parents
Remember, children learn best through repetition and play — not pressure. Celebrate small successes, and give them plenty of chances to explore at their own rhythm. The goal isn’t perfection, but connection and curiosity.
Every time your child recognises a new colour or matches a shape, they’re not just learning words — they’re learning how to observe, think, and make sense of the world.
References
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Raising Children Network (Australia): Colour and shape learning for toddlers
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Healthdirect Australia: Child development – language, play, and learning milestones
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Zero to Three (US): How babies learn to see colour
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Verywell Family: When do children learn colours and shapes?
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National Institutes of Health (NIH): Visual development milestones in infancy
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Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF): Learning through play and discovery