Color vision development in babies is a gradual process:
- Newborns see mostly in black, white, and shades of gray
- By 2-3 months, they begin distinguishing red and green
- By 4 months, they can see most colors
- Full color vision typically develops by 5-6 months
This development corresponds with the maturation of the retina and visual cortex. Initially, babies prefer high-contrast patterns and faces. Red is often the first color babies can distinguish, which may explain why they’re attracted to bright red objects. Parents can support color vision development through exposure to varied colors and engaging in color-naming activities as the child grows.