Colour Mixing Investigation
To develop understanding of primary and secondary colour mixing through systematic investigation.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Expressive Arts & Design
- Learning area: Expressive Arts and Design
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Knows primary colours
- Discovers secondary through mixing
- Records colour discoveries
- Understands tint and shade
Materials
- Powder paint in red, yellow, blue only
- Mixing palettes and trays
- Recording sheets
- Mixing sticks
Instructions
Present only three colours: red, yellow, blue. 'These are called primary colours. Today we're going to be colour scientists — we'll mix them and see what happens!' The discovery approach is essential.
Give children mixing palettes. 'Put a small scoop of red here. Now a small scoop of yellow here. Mix them together — what colour do you get?' Let them mix, discover, name: 'ORANGE! Red and yellow make orange!'
Record findings on a systematic chart: 'Red + Yellow = ...[orange square painted]. Blue + Yellow = ...? Red + Blue = ...?' Children fill in the chart as they discover each secondary colour.
Investigate more: 'What happens if you use MORE red than yellow? Or MORE yellow than red? Does the orange change?' This extends to understanding tint and shade of colour mixtures.
Create a class colour wheel: display their discoveries. 'In between red and yellow on our circle, we put orange — because red + yellow = orange. Between yellow and blue we put green...' This maps to the actual colour wheel.
Extend to mixing with white: 'Add white to your red — what happens? It gets lighter — that's called a tint! A pink tint!' And with black: 'Add black to yellow — it gets darker — a shade!' Opens the full colour vocabulary.