Colour has a huge impact on our lives. Children, in particular, depend on a colourful world in many ways. They assimilate colour quite effortlessly and love to use it creatively. It helps keep them focused and stimulates their creativity, learning and concentration.
According to colour psychology expert June McLeod, ‘Creativity is fundamental to innovation, innovation depends upon creative colour thinking’
She explains that colour can be used to stimulate intellectual development from a young age onwards. In the first few months, babies feel happier when surrounded by soft pastel shades. They need a calming environment with soft tones and shapes, helping them feel soothed when adjusting to all the new sights and sounds of their world.
Toddlers love bright colours in small bursts, too many strong colours may lead to them feeling discontented and restless. Help them manage their world with some bright colours and areas of calmer tones. Keeping shapes and patterns quite simple also helps them make sense of their world.
As they grow, children love to experiment with colour. Immersing themselves in a colourful world has been proven to stimulate emotional, intellectual and cognitive growth.
Some colour sense
Within the colour spectrum warm colours like yellow, orange and red make a strong impact and can be inspiring and uplifting. Blues and cool colours are seen as calming. Green is in the middle of the spectrum and creates a feeling of harmony. Green represents nature, a place we can seek out when we need balance and a sense of peace.
