Language: Learning the names of colours

Learning to name colours isn’t easy for little ones, since colour names are abstract words that can be used to describe many different objects. For example, the colour yellow can describe a chick, the sun, and a banana.

At what age do children learn colours?

When a child hears phrases like “the grass is green” and “the truck is green,” they need to find the commonality between grass and truck to understand what green means. For this reason, colour names often appear later in children’s vocabulary than words for the people, objects, or actions in their daily lives.

Most of the time, children understand the meaning of green before they’re able to name the colour. Children usually start to recognize the names of basic colours (red, green, blue, and yellow) between the ages of 2 and 3.

Not all children learn the names of colours at the same pace. Some are able to name one or two by age 2. Others will start using the names of basic colours correctly around age 3.

At first, some children say the same word to designate all colours. For example, they say “blue” to describe objects of different colours. This is a sign that they want to talk about colours and are beginning to understand the concept. Your child might do something similar when referring to objects and animals. For instance, they might call all animals dog at first!

After age 3, children can more easily learn the names of colours they hear less often, like brown and grey.

Around age 5, many children still find it difficult to distinguish between or name shades of the same colour (e.g., light blue, dark blue, navy blue).

How can you help your child learn the names of colours?

• Frequently say the colour of objects when you talk to your little one. For example, you can say, “You put the yellow block on your tower!” or “I took out your red sweater.” Focus on one or two characteristics at a time, rather than cramming too much information into a single sentence. Your child will learn naturally if they hear the names of colours regularly.
• If your child seems interested in a particular colour, point it out more often. For example: “Those are your nice blue pyjamas!” or “Let’s take out all the blue cars.” If you keep talking about this colour, your child will eventually learn its name. Once your child understands and uses the name of this colour correctly, find out which other colours interest them so you can name them more often. Children often find it easier to learn words that relate to their interests.
• Don’t ask your child, “What colour is this?” too often. If they feel like you’re testing them, they might lose interest or feel anxious. Remember that colours aren’t more important than other words! Your child needs to learn a variety, including verbs and small words (e.g., a and to) to form sentences and be understood.

Colour-naming games

• Search for items around the house that are all the same colour. Group them together and name their colour (e.g., green stuffie, green ball).
• Cut out pictures of food from a grocery store flyer. Identify those that are the same colour. For example, peas, kiwis, and celery are all green. Glue them to a sheet of green construction paper, or use a piece of cardboard painted green.
• Go for a walk and look for cars of a specific colour chosen with your child (e.g., “We’re looking for all the cars that are red like a fire truck”).
• Gather a few objects of different colours (blocks, pom-poms, crayons, etc.) and ask your child to sort them into containers by colour. Name the colours as your little one places the objects into the containers.

Things to keep in mind

• Colour names are harder to learn than many other words because they are abstract.
• Children generally learn colours between the ages of 2 and 5, but may only learn shades of colour after age 5.
• The best way to help your child learn colours is to name them often in various everyday situations.

Scientific review: Agathe Tupula Kabola, speech therapist Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: July 2026

Photo: GettyImages/Lordn