The Effects Of Colour On The Learning Environment

Children interact with the world via their senses. That is how they learn and often how they communicate, since they cannot read or write yet. As parents and teachers attempt to teach children, it is important to try to keep the colours in the child’s environment ones that will foster learning and calm while inspiring an appropriate level of energy. The colours your child is surrounded by should change depending whether they are in a bedroom for sleeping versus a room for playing or a classroom for learning.

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Colours should change depending on the age of the child, as they develop and learn. Unfortunately, there is no exact colour combination that will guarantee optimal learning, as each child is unique, but as will be explained below, there are ways to gauge a child’s reaction to colour and how colours may be influencing them.

How Colours Affect Children’s Moods

Colour Can Help Connect Neural Pathways In The Brain

When a colour a child enjoys becomes associated with a subject of learning, particularly one which they were struggling with, that subject becomes easier for the child. The associated colour can foster enjoyment of learning. The association of the colour and subject forms a connection of neural pathways in the brain, which are rapidly developing in childhood. Since children are learning about their environment through their senses, there is an association between sight and perception of colour/light and the advancement of motor skills. Colour is believed to affect the psychological and physiological development of children and colour theory can be used to foster success, productivity, and positive behaviour.

Child Education And Colour

Child education requires colour for the development of neural pathways and to create an interesting learning environment. Having all different colours available to the child allows them to differentiate between objects and it gives them visual stimuli to keep them interested and intrigued. Having the child choose their own colours will give them the best preschool experience, as they get to learn how to make decisions for themselves and develop a sense of self.

Colour Can Alter Emotion

When students are exposed to their favourite colour, the endocrine glands produce hormonal and emotional responses. The type of response elicited will depend on both the colour presented and the child’s interpretation of it. The colours that will foster learning and serenity in children are their favorite colours, regardless of what those may be. The favourite colours of children will likely be related to their personality and behaviours. Essentially, a child who is already energetic may become irritated or unfocused when surrounded by a bright, dynamic colour such as red, while a child who is more lethargic may find the colour to be refreshing and appropriately energizing. This is dependent on the individual child and can vary based on the child’s mood.

Using colour as a way of fostering an exploration of the senses and of better understanding child development and psychology is an interesting concept to consider within the home and school. This is why at Grey Matter Montessori in Calgary, we emphasize the importance of development through incorporation of all senses and personalizing education to each student. If you are interested in speaking with our team of dedicated child educators, contact us at 1-587-707-4739 or fill out the contact form. Grey Matter Montessori in Calgary believes in motivating children and finding ways to foster a love of learning in the child that will create self motivation for years to come. In our nurturing and stimulating learning environment, your child can reach their full potential and have fun while they learn!

FAQ

Q: How long has colour theory been around for?
A: Officially, colour was named in the field of psychology in the 20th century, but there is documentation of ancient Egyptians colour cures by painting rooms of the sick with bright colours as a part of healing nearly 4,000 years ago. The best preschool focused studies have been in the 21st century

Q: When do you accept registration?
A: Grey Matter Montessori has ongoing registration and even offers advanced registrations (up to 2 years in advance). Contact our office for more information on the upcoming school year and register as early as possible to ensure availability for your desired days and times.

Q: What is the difference between Preschool and Montessori Preschool?
A: In Montessori preschool children are encouraged to learn at their own pace with the teacher guiding them along their learning journey. Children develop a love for education through their own passions and in a Montessori preschool the teacher lets the child explore and follow their interests. A traditional preschool will have a teacher who leads all of the children through the same activity and ensures that everyone participates and completes the task by the end of the day.