Colourblocks - Black and White (S1E18)
Black and White arrive in Colourland. Learn about two colours that are very different from the other Colourblocks.
| Runtime (min) | 5 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2023-01-23 |
| Genres | Kids, Animation |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | CBeebies |
Storyline
In this episode, two new characters arrive in Colourland: Black and White. Unlike the vibrant Colourblocks that young viewers have already met, Black and White are distinctly different in appearance and properties. The episode introduces these two special blocks and explores what makes them unique compared to the rainbow colours children have been learning about throughout the series.
Through playful demonstrations and interactions with the other Colourblocks, the episode shows how Black and White function differently. Black is presented as the absence of light, absorbing all colours, while White reflects all colours. The Colourblocks help children understand that while Black and White may not fit into the traditional rainbow spectrum, they are essential colours in their own right, each with special characteristics that make them important members of the Colourland community.
What kids learn
Children learn foundational concepts about colour theory through the introduction of Black and White. The episode teaches that not all colours are part of the rainbow spectrum, and that Black and White have unique properties that set them apart. Young viewers discover that Black absorbs light while White reflects it, presented in age-appropriate terms that make these scientific concepts accessible to preschoolers.
The episode also reinforces themes of inclusion and diversity. By showing that Black and White are different from the other Colourblocks yet equally valuable and welcome in Colourland, children learn that being different is not only acceptable but important. This gentle message helps preschoolers understand that communities are strengthened by members who bring different qualities and characteristics.
Additionally, children expand their colour vocabulary and observational skills. They learn to recognize and name Black and White as distinct colours, and begin to notice how these colours appear in the world around them, building visual literacy and categorization skills essential for early learning.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this episode appropriate for very young preschoolers? | Yes, this episode is designed for the same preschool audience as the rest of the series. While it introduces the concept that Black and White are different from rainbow colours, the presentation remains simple, visual, and playful. The five-minute runtime and gentle pacing make it accessible for children as young as two or three, and the characters present these ideas through demonstration rather than complex explanation. |
| Will my child understand why Black and White are different from other colours? | The episode presents this difference in concrete, visual terms rather than abstract scientific language. Children see and experience how Black and White look and behave differently from the rainbow Colourblocks. While preschoolers may not grasp the physics of light absorption and reflection, they will understand that these two colours have special properties, which builds foundational awareness they'll expand upon as they grow older. |
| Does this episode teach that Black and White aren't real colours? | No, the episode affirms that Black and White are important colours in their own right. While it acknowledges they're different from the rainbow spectrum, the message emphasizes inclusion and belonging. Black and White are welcomed into Colourland as valued members of the community, reinforcing that being different doesn't mean being less important or less real. |
| What activities can we do after watching to reinforce the concepts? | You can go on a Black and White hunt around your home, identifying objects in these colours. Try simple art activities like painting with only black and white, or mixing white paint into colours to make them lighter. You might also look at black-and-white photographs together, or explore shadows and light using a flashlight, connecting to the episode's themes about how these colours interact with light. |
| How does this episode fit into the overall Colourblocks curriculum? | This episode expands the colour learning beyond the primary rainbow spectrum, helping children develop a more complete understanding of colour. After learning about red, blue, yellow, and their combinations, introducing Black and White rounds out essential colour knowledge. It prepares children for more nuanced colour mixing and understanding, such as creating shades and tints, which may appear in subsequent episodes or real-world art activities. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | An excitable Red arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour red with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 2 | Cool Blue arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour blue with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 3 | Yellow is happy to bring his colour to Colourland. Learn about the colour yellow with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 4 | Red is surprised to discover that she's not the only colour in the world when she meets Blue. Join the Colourblocks to learn which objects can be red and which can be blue, and how some can be both red and blue. |
| 1 | 5 | Red and Blue meet Yellow and have fun colouring the seaside. Discover the colours around you with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 6 | Green arrives, bringing her natural colour to Colourland. Learn about the colour green. |
| 1 | 7 | Blue and Yellow meet a new friend - Green. Discover what happens when you mix blue and yellow with the Colourblocks |
| 1 | 8 | The Colourblocks meet a new animal - but what colour is it? Learn about a creature that can change colour with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 9 | The Colourblocks discover that it can be fun to colour things wrong. Learn about choosing colours. |
| 1 | 10 | Energetic Orange arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour orange. |
| 1 | 11 | Red and Yellow meet new arrival Orange. Discover what happens when you mix red and yellow with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 12 | Imaginative Purple arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour purple with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 13 | Red and Blue compete to colour a castle and meet new arrival Purple. Discover what happens when you mix red and blue with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 14 | The Colourblocks decorate Purple's garden and learn about patterns. Discover how to make your own patterns with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 15 | The Colourblocks attempt to solve a rainbow puzzle with the help of new friends Indigo and Violet. Learn about the seven colours of the rainbow with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 16 | Purple stages a version of Little Red Riding Hood, but can the other Colourblocks stick to the story? Learn about colour mixing with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 17 | The Colourblocks enjoy a dance, but which colours make the best partners? Learn about similar and complementary colours with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 18 | Black and White arrive in Colourland. Learn about two colours that are very different from the other Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 19 | Green is surprised when Black and White arrive in her forest. Learn about light and dark colours with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 20 | Green stages a magic show to introduce her new friends Black and White. Learn the difference between light, bright and dark colours with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 21 | Fun Pink arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour pink with the Colourblocks! |
| 1 | 22 | Colour explorer Brown arrives in Colourland. Learn about the colour brown with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 23 | Brown takes the Colourblocks exploring in the forest. Learn different ways to mix brown with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 24 | Meet the Printing Crew - Yellow, Cyan, and Magenta. Learn how together they can mix lots of colours in the Printing Zone. |
| 1 | 25 | Black and White colour a city with new the help of new friend Grey. Learn to mix different shades of grey with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 26 | Black joins the Printing Crew. Learn how yellow, cyan, magenta and black work together in printing with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 27 | Red and Yellow sort different coloured objects onboard the Sorting Express. Learn to spot the difference between colours and shades with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 28 | Red and Blue choose colours for their playhouses. Learn about making colour choices with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 29 | The Colourblocks discover a series of colour wheels. But where should they sit on them? Learn which colours go next to each other with the Colourblocks. |
| 1 | 30 | All the Colourblocks come together for a big song. Learn different colours and colour mixes with the Colourblocks. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Welcome to Purple’s mixing factory, where he mixes two colours to create a new colour. In this musical episode, the Colourblocks learn that mixing red and yellow makes orange, whilst adding black and white helps to make darker and lighter colours. When the Printing Crew arrive, we learn how they work together to mix their colours and create new ones. |
| 2 | 2 | It's lunchtime in Colourland! Red invites her friends for lunch, where they try each other’s favourite foods. |
| 2 | 3 | Purple is the host of a fun game show called Name That Colour, with Pink and Brown playing along as contestants. |
| 2 | 4 | Sing along with Orange as she helps Indigo and Violet to colour a rainbow. |
| 2 | 5 | The Printing Crew come to the rescue and print signs for their friends Red, Blue and Green. |
| 2 | 6 | Blue meets Deep Blue and Sky Blue and learns all about their favourite things. They embark on an adventure in a submarine to the depths of the deep blue sea and take a trip up in a plane to discover all about sky blue items |
| 2 | 7 | Red and Yellow try to make a bright orange colour like their good friend Orange. |
| 2 | 8 | Purple wants to decorate his mural with different purples and invites Red and Blue to help him. |
| 2 | 9 | Meet Lime! She’s in between Yellow and Green, fresh and full of zing! In this musical episode, Lime sings her heart out with her beloved electric guitar, loving the limelight. |
| 2 | 10 | It’s the return of the Sorting Express, and Lime’s friends use it to help sort colours for her concert. |
| 2 | 11 | Red, Yellow and Blue colour in various doors leading to unexpected places. |
| 2 | 12 | Red is sad about being inside on a grey day but soon learns that being inside can be just as fun. |
| 2 | 13 | Red is on a colour tour with her friends, showing them the sights of where she did her very first colouring. |
| 2 | 14 | The Colourblocks travel through Colourland on an airship, picking up new and old friends along the way. In this inspiring musical episode, they reminisce about all of the amazing things they've learnt on their colour journey. |
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.