SPECIAL TOOL
The “everything’s going to be alright” rainbow coloring page
(Open rainbow coloring page) Print the rainbow or encourage children to draw their own rainbow. Display the rainbows in a window.
CIRCLE TIME
Circle time game-Rainbows
(Open circle time game-Rainbows) Print and laminate the document. Display it in your circle time area. Every morning, during circle time, invite children to notice the colors of their clothing and mark an “X” in each corresponding column using a dry-erase marker. For example, if a child is wearing green pants and a yellow sweater on which a blue truck is printed, he will draw three “X’s”, in the green, yellow, and blue columns. Use your graph to determine which color is most popular each day.
Flipogram-Rainbows
(Open picture game-Rainbows) Print and laminate the pictures in the format you prefer. Use a hole-punch to make a hole in the upper right and left corner of each picture. Stack the pictures and insert a ring through each set of holes. The flipogram is easy to manipulate. Simply show children how they can lift a picture and flip it under the stack. Name each item with your group. Use the flipogram to encourage children to talk during circle time and to ask them questions about the theme.
I can talk about rainbows…with a puppet
Use a puppet to encourage children to talk about different subjects related to the theme. The puppet may help children who are shy participate in circle time discussions. What’s more, it can help children who require language support. One thing is certain: the puppet will foster language development.
AREA SETUP
(Open thematic poster-Rainbows) Print, laminate, and decorate the walls of your daycare with all kinds of posters.
Educa-theme-Rainbows
(Open educa-theme-Rainbows) Print and laminate the different elements representing the theme. Use them to present the theme to your group (and children’s parents) while decorating your daycare.
Educa-decorate-Rainbows
(Open educa-decorate-Rainbows) Print, cut out, and laminate. Decorate the walls of your daycare and hang decorations from the ceiling to set the mood for the theme. Hang multicoloured crepe paper garlands from the ceiling. You can also loop together different colors of construction paper to make a colourful chain which can be hung near your daycare entrance. Each day, cover your table with a different color tablecloth. You can find inexpensive plastic versions in department stores and dollar stores. Hang tiny multicolored Christmas lights and stick colorful pictures and illustrations on the walls. Finally, hang bright balloons throughout your daycare.
Stickers-Rainbows
(Open stickers-Rainbows) Print the illustrations on adhesive paper and use them to create a collection of unique stickers. Use them to reward children throughout the theme.
Colorful welcome board
In your daycare entrance, display a large piece of black cardboard. Using a large piece of white chalk, write this on it: Wishing you a _______________day! Cut the letters of the word “COLORFUL” out of rainbow-colored paper to complete the message. Next, cut a paintbrush handle out of brown cardboard and glue it on your board. Cut a wide rectangle out of aluminum paper and glue it along the bottom of your paintbrush handle to represent the metal section that normally holds the bristles. Glue 7 bands of fabric or paper garlands, one for each color of the rainbow, vertically under the aluminum paper strip, letting them hang down to represent bristles.
Three-dimensional hanging rainbow
You will need 6 swimming pool noodles: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Glue them one on top of the other using hot glue, creating an arch. Cut 2 large cloud shapes out of white cardboard and glue one end of your rainbow on each cloud. Hang your three-dimensional rainbow from the ceiling.
Inflated rainbow
Inflate several party balloons. Use transparent thread to tie them together to represent a rainbow. Hang your inflated rainbow from the ceiling in your daycare or over your daycare entrance.
Clothesline
Have children draw and cut pictures of rainbows, clouds, and suns. Using clothespins, have them hang them on an indoor clothesline. They can add to this improvised garland throughout the theme.
CIRCLE TIME
The educatall team suggests an imaginary activity for your group. (Open Rainbow letter) Print the letter. Prepare a colourful envelope. Leave the envelope in an easy to find location each day. When children find it, read a portion of the letter to them and follow the instructions to complete the suggested daily activities.
RAINBOW DAY
(Open perpetual calendar-Rainbow Day) Print and display.
Greeting: Invite each child to bring an object which corresponds to his/her favorite color from home. If you prefer, organize several different color days and invite children to bring an object of the corresponding color each day (a green object for green day, a yellow object for yellow day, etc.).
Circle time: Talk about colors and encourage children to name their favorite color.
Lunch and snacks: Serve children colourful meals and snacks which include fruits, vegetables, and other food items in a variety of colors. Add food coloring to their milk too.
Special activities: Play with colourful modeling dough, experiment with color combinations with using food coloring or paint, etc.
PICTURE GAME
The pictures can be used as a memory game or to spark a conversation with your group. Use them to decorate your daycare or a specific thematic corner. (Open picture game-Rainbows) Print, laminate, and store the pictures in a Ziploc bag or in your thematic bin.
Memory game-Bicycles and tricycles
(Open picture game-Bicycles and tricycles) Print the pictures twice and use them for a memory game.
WRITING AND ACTIVITY SHEETS
(Open writing activities-R like rainbow) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.
Stationery-Rainbows
(Open stationery-Rainbows) Print. Stationery is available for each theme. Use it to communicate with parents, in your reading and writing area, or to identify your thematic bins.
ACTIVITY SHEETS
Activity sheets are suggested for each theme. Print and follow instructions. (Open activity sheets-Rainbows)
EDUCA-NUUDLES-Rainbows
(Open educa-nuudles-Rainbows) Print for each child. Have children color the sheet and use Magic nuudles to give it a three-dimensional look. Variation: You don’t have Magic Nuudles? Have children fill the spaces designed for Magic Nuudles with bingo markers or stickers.
To order Magic Nuudles
LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES
Word flashcards-Rainbows
The word flashcards may be used to spark a conversation with your group, in your reading and writing areas, or even to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Rainbows) (Open giant word flashcards-Rainbows) Red, orange, indigo, yellow, green, blue, purple, rain, sun, arch, sky, pot of gold
Rainbow words
With your group, create a rainbow path by gluing different colors of construction paper on the floor using heavy tape. (Open rainbow words) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Children stand at the start of your path and take turns picking a color card and a size card. For example, if a child picks a “blue” card and a “big” card, he could say, “The blue sky is very big.” Once he has formulated his sentence, he can move ahead to the first (or next) blue piece of paper on the floor. Continue playing until all the children in your group have reached the end of the path. If you wish, draw a rainbow at the end.
Educa-chatterbox-Rainbows
(Open educa-chatterbox-Rainbows) Print and laminate the cards. To create your chatterbox, you will need an empty shoebox or a small bin that you can decorate as you see fit. Fill it with tiny objects, illustrations, pictures, and accessories related to your theme. To help you, we have created a series of cards that you may use. During circle time or, for example, when children are waiting for their lunch, have them take turns picking a card or object out of your chatterbox and naming the corresponding item.
Let’s chat
Print and laminate the theme’s word flashcards. Have each child pick a word. They can take turns presenting their word to the group (ex. pot of gold). Discuss each item and ask children questions to see what they know about the theme.
SEQUENTIAL STORY
(Open sequential story-Rainbows) Print, laminate, and cut out the illustrations. Children must place the illustrations in the correct order.
VARIOUS WORKSHOPS-Rainbows
Have fun with these wonderful workshop ideas provided by Caroline Allard.
Construction/building blocks:
- Instead of sorting your blocks by kind (wood, Lego, etc.), sort them by color.
- Square pieces of colourful felt can be used for various constructions.
- You can also sort figurines, cars, and other items by color.
Arts & crafts:
- Use paint to introduce children to color combinations (yellow + red = orange, blue + red = purple, yellow + blue = green). Add white to primary colors. What happens? What happens if you mix all the colors together?
- Different types of bright paper can be used for cutting, drawing, and creating.
- Finger paint is perfect for experimenting with color combinations.
- Markers with a variety of tips (wide, fine, etc.).
- Color by number activities.
- Coloring pages.
Role play:
- Transform your role play area to make it look like a paint shop. Children pretend they are painters.
- Paint sample cards, paintbrushes, paint rollers, painter hats, wooden sticks used to stir paint.
- Old sweaters with paint stains on them.
- Create an artist corner which includes an easel and a paint palette. Add large pieces of paper for your little artists.
Manipulation:
- Memory game involving colors.
- Modeling dough (primary colors). Allow children to mix the colors together. Use homemade modeling dough to reduce costs.
- Association game involving illustrations and coloured pieces of paper (a picture of an orange is associated to an orange piece of paper, a picture of a sun is associated to a yellow piece of paper, etc.).
- Different items which can be sorted by color.
- Colourful cellophane paper which can be used to make binoculars.
- A Lite-Brite game or mosaic activity.
Reading/relaxation:
- Books about shapes and colors or just books which include colourful illustrations.
Music/motor skills:
- A homemade Twister game.
- Red light, green light game.
Sensory bins:
- Water table: add food coloring to the water.
- Container filled with rocks: Use aquarium rocks to create an inexpensive sensory bin.
- Fill a container with Froot-Loops
Early science:
- All experiments involving colors such as the color explosion in a glass of milk, the flower which changes color when placed in a mixture of water and food coloring, paint color combinations, baking a cake and adding colourful frosting on top.
TRANSITION ACTIVITIES
Game-This is my spot-Rainbows
(Open game-This is my spot-Rainbows) Print two copies. Laminate and cut out the cards. Glue one copy of each card on the table using adhesive paper. Drop the other copies in a bag. Children take turns picking a card to determine their spot at the table for the day. You may also use the cards to determine naptime spots or for your task train.
Special storage method
Encourage children to sort toys by color.
ACTIVITIES FOR BABIES
Rainbow mobile
(Open mobiles-Rainbows) Print and decorate the various shapes with colourful ribbon, glitter, cotton balls, confetti, etc. Glue them on either side of ribbon or string. Hang the mobile from the ceiling in your daycare or above your changing table.
Colorful bottles
Fill clear bottles with water and add a different color of food coloring to each one. If you prefer, add colorful objects to the bottles. The bottles will introduce babies to colors.
Ice cube paint
Prepare several different colors of ice cubes. Once they are completely frozen, sit babies in their high chairs and deposit a large sheet of paper on each child’s tray. Give them a few ice cubes and encourage them to “paint” by sliding them across the paper.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS
Hop on the rainbow
(Open models-Rainbows) Print. Laminate and secure the items on the floor using adhesive paper. Play music. When the music stops, children must sit on a rainbow (as in musical chairs).
1, 2, 3…rainbow!
Make your daycare as dark as possible. Set a flashlight (or other light source) in one corner. The leader of the game faces the light and counts while the other children stand on a line a few meters behind him. The leader of the game counts, “1, 2, 3…” as the other children move towards him. When he says “rainbow”, he quickly spins around. The others must stop in their tracks. If a child moves, he becomes the game leader.
Searching for rainbows
(Open models-Rainbows) Print. Laminate the items and press them on your daycare walls and floor using adhesive paper. Hand each child a flashlight. Turn off the lights and close your curtains to make the room as dark as possible. Children use their flashlight to find the rainbows.
Modeling dough activity placemats-Rainbows
(Open modeling dough activity placemats-Rainbows) Print and laminate. Let children pick a placemat and provide modeling dough. Encourage them to use the dough to fill or reproduce the shapes that are on their placemat.
Fine motor skills-Crumpled paper rainbow shapes
(Open models-Rainbows) Print for each child. Have them tear colorful tissue paper into tiny pieces. They can crumple the pieces and use them to add color to the shape they prefer. Display their artwork.
Felt rainbows
For each child, cut 7 half-circles out of different colors of felt (rainbow colors). Each half-circle must be a different size, the red one being the largest and the violet one being the smallest. Insert each set of half-circles in an envelope. Let children manipulate them and layer the pieces to build a rainbow.
Our list
(Open hunt and seek-Rainbow colors) Encourage children to search for items that correspond to each color that can be seen in a rainbow. Their list must contain at least one item of each color.
Gel rainbow
Give each child a Ziploc bag and invite them to draw a rainbow on it, coloring each arch using a different color. Next, help them add blue hair gel as well as rainbow-colored bingo markers to their bag. Seal the bags. Invite children to manipulate the contents of their bag to slide each bingo marker into the arch of the corresponding color.
Multicolored straw lacing activity
Purchase different sizes and colors of drinking straws. Invite children to help you cut them into pieces of varying lengths that you can use to fill a manipulation bin. You could add a few uncut straws too. Using adhesive tape, secure one end of colorful pieces of yarn to your table. Have children thread the straws onto the yarn of the matching color. If you prefer, let children simply thread them on the yarn, mixing the colors to create rainbows.
Color hunt
Hide colourful pieces of construction paper. Show children what they must search for. Ask them to find a specific color of paper. Once each child has found one, call out a different color.
The crazy race
Place colourful pieces of construction paper on the floor. Call out a color and invite children to find items of the corresponding color and deposit them on a piece of construction paper of the same color.
MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
7 things that I love
(Open 7 things that I love) Print in color for each child. In each colored box, children draw something they love of the corresponding color. For example, in the purple box, they could draw a glass of grape juice. When they are done, invite them to present their sheet to the group and explain their choices.
Our rainbow project
Draw a giant rainbow on a wall. Provide a variety of arts & crafts materials and encourage children to decorate the rainbow together.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Rainbow targets
Using sidewalk chalk, draw a round target containing several colors on a surface in your yard. For example, you could draw a tiny purple circle in the center, a blue circle around it, then a larger green circle, etc. to represent the colors of a rainbow. Fill a bin with water and add colorful sponges. Children take turns selecting a sponge and throwing it on your target. Encourage them to name the color of the section the sponge lands on. Little by little, the water the sponges contain will erase your target. Children will enjoy helping you draw a new target to play again.
The sun, the water, and the rainbow
Give each child a spray bottle filled with water. This experiment must be done outside. Stand with the sun in your back and spray. Observe closely with your group. You should see a rainbow. Discuss with your group.
Colourful snow
Purchase small spray bottles. Add powdered paint. Spray the mixture on snow.
Colourful sand
Offer containers filled with different colors of sand. Add cookie cutters. Children will enjoy making colourful sand shapes.
Red light, yellow light, green light
Prepare three pieces of paper: a green one, a yellow one, and a red one. Invite children to move around the daycare. When you show the green paper, children can walk fast (without running). When you display the yellow paper, children must slow down. When you show the red paper, children must stop moving altogether. Change colors often to keep children alert.
MUSICAL AND RHYTHM ACTIVITIES
Color association
Give each child a different color gift bag. To the sound of music, encourage them to fill their bag with objects of the corresponding color. When the music stops, children compare their findings. To increase the level of difficulty, use bags which contain two colors.
Musical colors
Give children three colors of crayons (red, yellow, green) and paper. Select a song which contains several different rhythms (slow, moderate, fast). Children must draw using the green crayon when the music is fast, the yellow crayon when the rhythm is moderate, and the red crayon when the music is slow.
COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES
Roll & color-Rainbows
(Open roll & color-Rainbows) Print for each child. This game can be enjoyed individually or as a group. Children take turns rolling a die, counting the dots, and coloring the corresponding part. The first child who finishes coloring the picture wins.
Rainbow color hunt
Organize a treasure hunt using items you have in your daycare. Have children sort items per the colors of the rainbow.
String activities-Rainbows
(Open string activities-Rainbows) Print for each child. Children trace the outlines with white glue before covering them with colorful string.
Educa-duo-Rainbows
(Open educa-duo-Rainbows) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must draw a line between the items which go together using a dry-erase marker.
Game-Four rainbows
(Open game-Four rainbows) Print, glue the cards on opaque cardboard and cut them out. Arrange all the cards upside down on the floor or table (so you can’t see the illustrations). Children take turns rolling a die. Every time a child rolls a “1”, he can turn a card. If he doesn’t already have this rainbow in front of him, he keeps it and places it in front of him for everyone to see. The first child who has collected all four rainbows wins.
Color by number-Rainbows
(Open color by number-Rainbows) Print for each child. Children must color the picture per the color code.
Hunt and seek coloring-Rainbows
(Open hunt and seek coloring-Rainbows) Print and laminate. Children must find and color the items at the bottom of the page.
Rolling raindrops
Cut raindrop shapes out of different colors of felt. Spread them out on a table. Give each child a lint roller. Invite them to use it to collect a certain number of raindrops or a raindrop of a specific color (or several colors). Children will like to peel them off their roller and set them in a bowl.
Educ-trace-Rainbows
(Open educ-trace-Rainbows) Print for each child. Children must trace the lines using the correct color.
Educ-differences-Rainbows
(Open educ-differences-Rainbows) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must circle the correct number of differences.
Educ-math-Rainbows
(Open educ-math-Rainbows) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must count the objects in each rectangle and circle the correct number.
Educ-same and different-Rainbows
(Open educ-same and different-Rainbows) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must circle the illustration which is different in each row.
I know my colors game
(Open game-I know my colors) Children take turns rolling the die and moving their playing piece to the corresponding color. Encourage children to name the color shown on the die before playing. At
the end of the game, players must roll the correct color to win.
Color memory game
(Open picture game-Colors) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. Place them face down on the table, in rows. The first player turns two cards. If they are identical, he keeps them and plays again. If they are not identical, he turns them over and the next child turns two cards. Children must always see the cards turned by other players. The goal of the game is to make as many pairs as possible.
Colourful dominoes
(Open colored dominoes) Print, glue the pages on heavy cardboard, and laminate. Cut the cards. This game is for 2 to 4 players. Each child picks 5 cards. Arrange the remaining cards in a stack on the table. Place one card. The first player tries to match a card to one of the illustrations shown on the card. The second player does the same and so on. If a player does not have a matching card, he/she must pick an additional card from the stack. If this card cannot be played either, his/her turn is over.
ACTIVITIES INVOLVING PARENTS
Our list
Ask parents to make a list of objects for every color of the rainbow with their child. They must find at least one item per color.
RELAXATION ACTIVITIES
Multicoloured ball massage
Show children how they can use a ball to massage a friend. They can work in teams of two.
ACTIVITIES WHICH BUILD SELF-ESTEEM
The problem solving rainbow
(Open problem solving rainbow) Print, laminate, and display. Sit in a circle with your group and present the problem-solving rainbow and the steps which can help them resolve a conflict or control their anger.
Create a special problem-solving area within your daycare. Set a table, two chairs, a small rug, and cushions in this area and outline the area using colourful electrical tape. Display the problem-solving rainbow in this area too. Explain how whenever a conflict arises, you will invite them to sit in this area and encourage them to use the steps to find a solution together. Once children feel they have resolved a conflict, they must explain the chosen solution to you so that you can verify that the solution is fair for everyone involved.
EARLY SCIENCE/EXPLORATION/MANIPULATION
Multicoloured rainbows
Use markers to color on coffee filters. When children are done, use spray bottles to represent rain. Watch closely as the colors merge together before your eyes, creating a spectacular effect.
Color combinations
(Open color combinations) Print, laminate, and display. Provide water glasses, food coloring, and small spoons. Children must use them to make various color combinations.
Colourful celery
Deposit a celery stalk (leaves attached) in a glass of colourful water (water with a few drops of food coloring). The leaves will change color.
Colourful bubbles
Add food coloring to your bubble solution. Children will love to make colourful bubbles.
Colourful pasta or rice bin
(Must be prepared by an adult) *Do not eat
Recipe
Ingredients:
1 quart of uncooked rice or pasta
2 tablespoons of food coloring
3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol
- Combine the food coloring and rubbing alcohol in a container. Add the rice or pasta and cover. Gently shake the container until the rice or pasta is completely coated with color.
- Spread the rice or pasta in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Let dry for several hours.
- Add the rice or pasta to a bin. Children will enjoy playing in the rice or pasta with figurines and containers.
Globule wonders: How do rainbows form?
Experiment 1: A rainbow in the house
Hypotheses: Allow children to submit their ideas. Their imaginative spirits will result in eccentric responses. Jot them down! Remember, there are no wrong answers! We are aiming for observation, not comprehension.
Material:
A large container filled with water
A mirror
Manipulations:
- Place the container filled with water near a window with plenty of sunlight (if the sun’s rays are not strong enough, you can use a flashlight).
- Turn off the lights.
- Place the mirror in the water. Do not make waves!
- Reflect the sunlight (or the light from the flashlight) onto a white wall or ceiling.
- Observe the rainbow you created!
- Can you name the colors you see?
Explanations:
The sun’s white light is made up of coloured lights corresponding to the colours of a rainbow. These lights change direction and separate when they enter or exit water. This explains why you see seven colours on the wall or ceiling. The white light divided itself into seven rays of light: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (dark blue), and purple.
Experiment 2: A rainbow on droplets of water
Material: A hose
Manipulations:
- Stand with your back to the sun. Hold the hose. Your early childhood educator must adjust it so the water sprays like light rain.
- Hold the hose upwards in front of you.
- Observe the rainbow on the droplets of water!
Explanations: The principle is the same as in the first experiment. The seven coloured lights which merge into the sun’s white light separate when they penetrate the droplets of water and reflect towards your eyes.
CULINARY ACTIVITY
Rainbow patterns
(Open rainbow patterns) Print, laminate, and cut out the cards. You will need marshmallows, Froot Loops cereal, and licorice laces cut into pieces measuring approximately 15 cm. Children pick a card, insert one end of their licorice piece in a marshmallow and thread cereal on it in the order illustrated on their card before inserting the other end in another marshmallow. When they are done, verify their work before letting them eat their creation.
Colourful lunch
Throughout the theme, add drops of food coloring to different food items (mashed potatoes, milk, pudding, etc.).
ARTS & CRAFTS
Rainbow drawings
Invite each child to take a crayon corresponding to each color that makes up a rainbow. Have them hold the crayons in their hands while you wrap a rubber band around them to create an oversized rainbow crayon. Children will have fun using it to create rainbow drawings.
Rainbow trinket
For each child, you will need white salt dough and 7 pipe cleaners (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). First, invite children to divide their salt dough to create 2 clouds. Have them set both clouds next to each other on the table. Help them press one end of each pipe cleaner in each cloud, creating arches to represent a rainbow. Older children can cut the pipe cleaners so that the arches are all different sizes. Let the clouds harden and display them on a windowsill.
My rainbow hat
(Open educa-decorate-Rainbows) Print and cut out. Glue the shapes and cotton balls on a paper headband or hat.
Paper rainbow
(Open rainbow) Print for each child. Set construction paper in each of the seven colors of the rainbow on the table. Ask children to tear it into pieces. When they are done, have them glue them in the seven arches of the rainbow (older children can glue them in the correct order).
My rainbow
On waxed paper, deposit a few drops of diluted poster paint. Give each child a drinking straw and invite them to blow on the drops of paint. Repeat with another color. Use colors found in a rainbow.
Our rainbow
Draw a large rainbow on heavy cardboard. Have children cut tiny pieces of rainbow-coloured construction paper and glue them in the correct arch (you can determine the order of the colors together first).
Mix of colors
Let children paint as they wish. The goal is to create new colors by combining the colors you have on hand.
Rainbow colors
Have children draw using waxed crayons on heavy paper. When they are done, have them paint over their drawing using black poster paint. When the paint is dry, they can scratch the black paint to rediscover the rainbow colors.
Bubble paint
Add a few drops of food coloring to your bubble solution. Have children make their own bubble wands out of pipe cleaners. Give each child a piece of white paper and encourage them to blow bubbles on the paper. The end result will be a pretty pastel-coloured design.
Pretty in pink (or blue)
Make binoculars out of two empty toilet paper rolls. Have children paint their binoculars with pink or blue paint. Once dry, glue them side by side. Make two tiny holes on either side of your binoculars and thread a string through them. Add pink or blue cellophane paper to one end. Children will love wearing their binoculars around their neck and observing their surroundings.
COLORING PAGES
(Open coloring pages theme-Rainbows) Print for each child.
CREATIVE COLORING
(Open creative coloring-Rainbows) Print for each child. Encourage children to complete the drawing.
SONGS & RHYMES
(Open songs & rhymes-Rainbow, rainbow)
Rainbow, rainbow
By: Patricia Morrison
Sung to: Twinkle, twinkle little star
Rainbow, rainbow in the sky
How I love your colors so bright
Blue and yellow, green between
Orange and red are also seen
Rainbow, rainbow in the sky
How I love your colors so bright
Have fun!
The educatall team