Use colours wisely to enhance children's EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Colours are not merely about decoration and aesthetics; they are infused with emotional and psychological weight. Thoughtfully chosen colour schemes promote positive emotional, behavioral and cognitive outcomes in children

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Colour is a powerful but often overlooked element in promoting children's emotional health and well-being.

The colour shades that surround children — on walls at home, classrooms, bed linen, accessories, the study corner — positively or negatively shape their emotions and behaviour. A comprehensive review published in Sciety (March), an open access online platform, synthesizing research on how different colours impact children's emotional well-being, cognitive capability, and behavior in environments such as homes, schools, and play areas, found that colours greatly affect children's mood, attention, learning, and social interaction. For instance, warm colours like red and yellow stimulate energy and alertness, while cool colors such as blue and green are associated with calm and relaxation. Dark colours like brown, black, and grey prompt negative sentiments.

Therefore, colours are not just about decoration and aesthetics; they are infused with emotional and psychological weight. Thoughtfully chosen colour schemes prompt positive emotional, behavioral and cognitive outcomes in children.

Bengaluru-based counseling psychologist Usha Rani spoke to PW's Kiran Balimane about the importance of choosing the right colours for children's learning and leisure spaces — shades that prompt calm, focus, creativity, and emotional balance. “Colours speak to a child's emotions before words do. When used thoughtfully, they can turn a room into a space that supports children's cognitive growth, emotional well-being, and confidence,” says Rani.

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