Read The Words And Color The Pictures For Preschoolers

When it comes to teaching your preschoolers, are you always searching for fun yet educational activities? Kids learn best when they are engaged, having fun, and using their creativity. One activity that checks all of those boxes is our – read the words and color the pictures for preschoolers printables.  

Not only will this activity help your children practice early reading skills, but it also strengthens fine motor skills through coloring.

These printables are no-prep, mess-free learning activities that can be used both at home and in the classroom.

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Why Reading & Coloring Activities Work?

First and foremost, preschoolers thrive on activities that combine multiple skills.  So instead of simply focusing on reading, this type of worksheet blends reading with a creative coloring task.

This will help kids to make connections between words, images, and meaning.

For example, when your child sees the word dog and then colors in the picture of a dog, they are reinforcing their word recognition skills while also enjoying a fun task.

In other words, they’re learning through play, which is the best way for preschoolers to absorb new information.

Moreover, coloring itself has developmental benefits. It encourages hand-eye coordination, grip strength, and pencil control. And when paired with reading, it becomes a powerhouse activity for early learners.

Benefits Of Reading And Coloring Pictures

Let’s take a closer look at why this activity is so effective.

Builds Sight Word Recognition – By repeatedly seeing and reading words like dog, cat, bee, or fish, preschoolers start to recognize these as sight words. These common words become part of their vocabulary much faster when they’re tied to fun activities.

Strengthens Vocabulary – Preschoolers are still building their vocabulary. Associating words with images helps solidify their understanding. For instance, reading the word pig and then coloring in a pig connects the written word to the animal in their mind.

Encourages Independent Learning – While you can certainly guide your child through the activity, many preschoolers will begin recognizing the words on their own. This creates confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

Improves Fine Motor Skills – Holding crayons, pencils, or markers while coloring builds fine motor skills that are essential for writing.

Promotes Focus and Concentration – Sitting down to read words and then carefully coloring each matching picture requires attention and focus, skills that are crucial for kindergarten readiness.

What’s Included in the Free Printables?

I’ve created two free printable worksheets that you can download and use instantly with your preschoolers. Both worksheets are designed to be simple, fun, and educational.

Worksheet 1 features words and pictures like bee, dog, cat, pig, cow, and owl.

Worksheet 2 includes bat, crab, duck, hen, fish, and frog.

Each worksheet has clear directions: “Read the words and color the pictures.”

Children simply look at the words, find the matching pictures, and color them in. It’s straightforward, engaging, and a great way to reinforce learning.

These worksheets can also be reused. For example, you can laminate them and let your child use dry-erase markers so they can complete the activity multiple times.

How to Use These Worksheets at Home?

At home, you can easily add these worksheets to your daily routine.

Here are a few ideas:

• Morning learning time – Start the day with a fun activity that gets your child thinking and focusing.

• Quiet time activity – Perfect for keeping your kids engaged while you cook dinner or take care of other tasks.

• Reading corner – Pair the worksheets with books about animals for an extended learning session.

• Play-based learning – After coloring, encourage your child to make the animal sounds or act out how the animal moves.

The beauty of Read the Words and Color the Pictures for Preschoolers is its flexibility; you can use it in any way that fits your family’s needs.

How to Use These Worksheets in the Classroom?

As a classroom teacher, I bet you will love these printables because they are no-prep and highly effective.

Here are some ways you can use them in preschool or kindergarten classrooms:

• Literacy centers – Print multiple copies and encourage your kiddos to work independently or in pairs.

• Small group activity – Work with a few students at a time to help them sound out the words before coloring.

• Homework – Send the worksheet home to extend learning beyond the classroom.

• Assessment tool – Use the worksheets to see which students can recognize and match words to pictures confidently.

By incorporating these worksheets into your teaching, you are providing your students with a meaningful way to practice early literacy skills.

Tips for Making the Most of the Activity

While the worksheets are designed to be simple, there are several ways to enhance the experience.

• Read the words aloud first – For younger preschoolers who are just beginning to recognize words, I do recommend reading the words aloud before they start coloring.

• Use multiple colors – Encourage your child to use more than one color for each picture. For example, a bee might be yellow and black. This allows them to tap into their creativity and adds another layer of fun.

• Trace the words – Before coloring, have your child trace over the words with a crayon or marker. This provides handwriting practice.

• Discuss the animals – Take time to talk about each animal. Where do they live? What sounds do they make? What do they eat? This adds a science element to the lesson.

• Create a story – After completing the worksheet, ask your child to make up a short story using the animals they colored. This encourages imagination and storytelling skills.

Extending the Learning

The fun doesn’t have to stop once the coloring is done.

Here are some extension activities:

• Animal scavenger hunt – Look for the animals in storybooks, toys, or even nature.

• Flashcards – Turn the words from the worksheet into flashcards for extra practice.

• Drawing practice – Encourage your child to try drawing the animals on their own without the worksheet.

• Phonics practice – Talk about the beginning sounds of each word (d for dog, c for cat, etc.).

With a little creativity, these worksheets can become a springboard for countless learning opportunities.

More Fun Preschool Activities

Here are some more fun and free preschool printables to keep the learning going:

• Over 100+ free preschool activities
• Free number worksheets for preschoolers
• Free printable shapes worksheets
• Preschool math addition worksheets

Get Your Free Printables

Click on the link below to snag your free printable worksheets!

Read The Words And Color The Pictures For Preschoolers (1 download )

Read The Words And Color The Pictures For Preschoolers

Whether you’re a parent looking for a fun activity at home or a teacher seeking effective classroom materials, these worksheets are a perfect fit.

Not only will they help your preschoolers recognize words, but they also connect those words to images, making learning both visual and hands-on.

Plus, with the added joy of coloring, children are more motivated to participate and learn.

So, print out the free worksheets, grab some crayons, and let the learning begin.

Your preschoolers will love reading the words, finding the animals, and coloring the pictures, and you’ll love knowing they’re building important skills while having fun.

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