A thoughtfully designed classroom environment can significantly impact a child's emotional well-being and academic performance. One often overlooked aspect is the strategic use of colour in student learning resources through to classroom wall decoration. In this blog, I delve into the science behind colour psychology and its role in shaping the educational experience.
In a previous article, I explored how colour can enhance student engagement. Today, I'll be looking at some other aspects of how colour can be used to your advantage when creating learning resources and wall decorations for your classroom.
From stimulating creativity to fostering focus, here's a number of ways in which colour can be used in your classroom.
Let’s dive into a bit of science now. A study by Naz Kaya (2004) looked into the relationship between emotions and colours (with college students), examining the emotional responses that participants associated with various colours.
The study involved 98 students, who were asked to rate their emotional responses to eight colours (red, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, white, and black). The questionnaire included 20 emotion-related terms, such as happy, sad, angry, and calm. Participants rated their emotional response to each colour using a 5-point scale, ranging from 'not at all' to 'very much.'
The research found that participants associated certain emotions with specific colours. For example, red was predominantly linked to excitement, blue to calmness, green to relaxation and calmness, and yellow to cheerfulness. Here’s the breakdown of each colour:
Participants were asked to complete a typing task followed by a proofreading task in their assigned environment. Once complete, participants completed a questionnaire to assess their mood. Not your typical classroom tasks, but nonetheless, there are some interesting findings that you can use with your students.
Participants in the predominantly red office reported higher levels of arousal and alertness compared to those in the blue-green or white offices. However, those in the red office made more errors in the proofreading task (as a result of typing faster), whereas participants in the blue-green office made fewer errors but typed slower.
These findings can be applied to the classroom, where strategic use of colour may enhance student focus and engagement. Here’s a handy guide:
There’s no magic answer to what percentage should be warm vs cool. It’s partly trial and error, and creating balance. The best colour scheme for a school classroom is one that combines warm and cool colours to create a balanced and engaging environment that caters to the diverse needs and preferences of young learners.
To wrap things up, understanding the impact of colour on emotional engagement and learning is essential for creating effective classroom environments. By thoughtfully combining warm and cool colours, teachers like yourself can cultivate an atmosphere that promotes creativity, focus, and motivation. As we've explored in this blog, strategic colour use can significantly enhance the educational experience, fostering emotional connections and supporting students on their journey towards academic success. Remember, a colourful classroom is not only visually appealing but also emotionally enriching, paving the way for inspired learning.
If you’re ready to bring the power of colour to your classroom, do it the eco-friendly way! Our range of sustainable printing solutions are designed specifically for schools. Our heat-free technology means you can save energy usage, and our unlimited colour printing options means you can save on the budget too! To find out more, get in touch by emailing us on enquiries@ecoprinters.net or start a new chat in the bottom right corner.
References
Kaya, N. (2004). Relationship between colour and emotion: A study of college students. College Student Journal