Academic experts have long theorized that colour can help stimulate the learning process in classrooms. It is strange then that most manufacturers of school furniture do not take this into account and think of hues as nothing more than aesthetics.
When you think about it, it’s not surprising — most people think of colours as nothing more than visual appeal; a quality that makes things look pretty. However, there have been many studies that suggest having the right colours in the classroom can be an aspect vital to academic success.
What does the colour of school furniture have to do with learning?
Well, consider a study that the US Navy conducted that revolved around the strategic use of colours in their recruit’s immediate environment. They found that certain hues help increase attention and curb accidents by more than 25%.
While the study mentioned above wasn’t done in a classroom setting, there’s a clear connection between the two. Students are more attentive and less prone to mishaps in a colourful environment. This helps raise learners’ confidence and encourage them to take on more significant academic challenges.
Are there any specific studies that support the claim?
Indeed there is, and the one made by a man named Harry Wohlfarth in 1983 comes to mind. He found that schools that have improved their lighting and added a variety of colours to their academic furniture generally had more accomplished students compared to those that don’t. That’s undoubtedly a good reason for adding more colours to furniture used in schools.
He also found that colourful furniture in schools can be incredibly helpful, especially for young children looking to start school for the first time. At a young age, kids learn that colour helps to signify importance. For instance, while toddlers may not be able to read, they know that red at a street sign means “stop” and green means “go”.
What does this have to do with schools you ask? Well, in a class environment, colour can assist kids in determining what parts of the room are vital. Using colour, for that reason, can trigger children to gravitate towards the reading location and might be able to motivate students to learn more.
What colours should you use?
Of course, not just any colour will do, and some tend to do a better job than others when used in a classroom setting. Hence you will want to utilize various colours for various age groups.
For instance, cool colours such as azure, purple and green are most appropriate for teenage students (highschool and college). For preschoolers and elementary students, it is generally best to stick with primary colours like blue and red. Integrating these colour variations into school furniture can help an environment that is more conducive to learning.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, adding colours to furniture in schools can go a long way in helping children attain their goals. Even painting a desk with vibrant colours can encourage students to stay seated on their desks before class begins. Similarly, a colourful storage shelf can draw the attention of students as they enter the classroom and turn in or collect their things before and after class.
