Rainbow Theme Unit for Daycare and Preschool
Teach Children about the Colors in the Rainbow
Apr 6, 2009
Rainbows are beautiful and this article is full of projects and activities that will bring all the colors in the rainbow to a child's world.
A Little Science
A rainbow is colored light seen in the sky when rays of the sun strike falling raindrops. Rainbows are curved because raindrops that reflect the sunlight are curved. The rainbows occur after a storm when the sun begins to shine while the air is still filled with raindrops. Stripes of the rainbow are always red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (the mnemonic "ROY G. BIV" is a reminder of the colors). A rainbow is really a circle and has no end. The bottom half of the rainbow is hidden from most observers because it is below the horizon.
Make Some Rainbow Crafts
Easy Rainbows: Tape three or four different-colored crayons in a straight line. Show children how to draw a rainbow with just one stroke. Or use brilliantly colored clay to roll out the colors of the rainbow. Make an arc on the table with each colored roll.
Looking at the World Through Different Colored Glasses: Here's a nifty use for colored cellophane scraps and empty toilet paper rolls. Apply a square of the cellophane wrap to the end of the cardboard roll and secure with a rubber band or tape. Invite children to look through the tubes to see what everything looks like in different hues. Gather a group of children and take a walk outdoors (take a rainbow hike) and view the world with the neatest spyglasses.
Cereal Rainbows: You will need a box of Fruit Loops or similar fruit-circles cereal, paper and glue. For younger children, you should draw a rainbow shape onto the paper, then have them glue the Fruit Loops inside the shape. Older kids can make their own rainbow arc. As a variation, supply yarn and have the children string the cereal to make a necklace they can eat.
Tissue Paper Rainbows: Help children draw the arcs of the rainbow, leaving spaces between each color. Provide tissue paper in each of the rainbow's colors. Tear small pieces and wad them. Glue each wad onto the paper. Fill each section entirely with the paper wads. Poster board or cardboard works best with this project since it gets a little heavy for just plain paper.
Hand Print Rainbows: Have children paint each finger a different color on his/her hand using non-toxic poster paints. Press this hand down on paper. What a neat print!
Fun Rainbow Snacks
Healthy Rainbow Parfaits: Use a clear plastic cup or glass. Alternate layers of vanilla yogurt with layers of different fruit. Try using peaches, pineapple, apples, strawberries, kiwi, mandarin oranges, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, and more. The fruit can be fresh, canned or frozen. This makes a great snack or dessert - and if you add a few layers of crunchy cereal, it can be a fun breakfast too!
Rainbow Toast: Pour several small cups of milk and add a variety of food coloring - one color per cup. Use a new, clean paintbrush to paint on white bread. Don't let the bread get too soggy. A heavier potato bread or Italian bread slices work best. Lightly toast the child's picture, admire it and then eat it.
Studying rainbows together is a wonderful way to teach children their color skills. And keep your eye out for a beautiful rainbow just after a spring or summer shower. Rainbows are lucky - make a wish!
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