Screen-free play
I Spy Five Colors
Why I Spy Five Colors works
Begin with a clear example of stand before adding view. The useful challenge in this activity is learning how comfortable affects the next decision rather than simply finishing quickly.
Set up — Sit or stand in one comfortable place with a clear view of…
No special materials are needed before the child is asked to sit or stand in one comfortable place with a clear view of the room. Use the result of having the child sit or stand in one comfortable place with a clear view of the room as the setup for the move into choose five familiar colors the child can recognize. Let comfort come first; the child may keep eyes open, move position, or stop while that starting condition is being established.
Step 2 — Choose five familiar colors the child can recognize
Keep the pace slow while the child tries to choose five familiar colors the child can recognize. If the effect is hard to see, simplify that action before continuing with the instruction to ask for one color at a time.
Step 3 — Ask for one color at a time
Treat the attempt to ask for one color at a time as a checkpoint between the earlier step to choose five familiar colors the child can recognize and the coming step to the child points to something that matches and names it if they want. A perfect answer is not required.
Step 4 — The child points to something that matches and names it if they…
After completing the instruction to the child points to something that matches and names it if they want, pause and ask what changed from the earlier step where they had to ask for one color at a time. Use that answer to decide whether they are ready to move to the next color only after the first object has been found.
Step 5 — Move to the next color only after the first object has been…
Keep the adult prompt brief while the child tries to move to the next color only after the first object has been found. If needed, return to the earlier step to the child points to something that matches and names it if they want before asking them to move to the next color only after the first object has been found.
What to notice before Move to the next color only after the…
Keep adult commentary light while the child works toward the child points to something that matches and names it if they want. Their own response should show whether the child notices a detail without being pushed to stay still or perform before the activity finishes with the request to move to the next color only after the first object has been found.
Make Ask for one color at a time easier or harder
For younger or less confident players, shorten the round and use one obvious thing to notice before the step to ask for one color at a time. If the child asks for more, add a second comparison, a memory check, or a child-led choice and then return to the final request to move to the next color only after the first object has been found.
Finish after Move to the next color only after the…
End while the child still remembers what changed around clear. Ask for one observation, then leave the harder variation for another time. More ideas are in the activity search and activity generator.
How to play
- Sit or stand in one comfortable place with a clear view of the room.
- Choose five familiar colors the child can recognize.
- Ask for one color at a time.
- The child points to something that matches and names it if they want.
- Move to the next color only after the first object has been found.
Make it easier
If the child needs less to track, finish after the second instruction. Keep “Sit or stand in one comfortable place with a clear view of the room.” and “Choose five familiar colors the child can recognize.” This gives the child a complete success point early.
Make it harder
In I Spy Five Colors, for an advanced pass, have the child remember the next step without a prompt. The step that stays central is “Ask for one color at a time.” The last instruction remains the same check for success.
Play together
In I Spy Five Colors, when an adult and child do it together, assign the first instruction to Player A and the middle instruction to Player B. Use “Sit or stand in one comfortable place with a clear view of the room.” as the opening job and “Ask for one color at a time.” as the handoff point. In I Spy Five Colors, keep the same rules when the roles switch.
Two or more kids
In I Spy Five Colors, for a small group, assign the opening, middle and final actions to different people. Keep “Move to the next color only after the first object has been found.” as the common finish. Do not score individual turns.
Skills practised
Attention, Observation, Working Memory
Safety
Point rather than climbing, reaching shelves or touching unknown objects. The adult should redirect anything that would require moving furniture or approaching unsafe items.
Supervision: Awareness