Impact of class room colour on primary education : a study implemented in a boys’ primary school, Colombo

Abstract

Primary School is considered the starting point of the learning process of a child and should be designed with a conducive learning environment aligned with the intended learning outcomes. Colour being an important visual element of design is recognized to have a direct impact on a child’s psychophysiological and behavioural aspects. This study investigates the impact of long term exposure to a monochromatic class room on primary education. Participants were 213 grade 2 students (age-7, gender- male) of a boys’ primary school in Colombo studying in identical classrooms (n=6) having a monochromatic interior (orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink) for two consecutive years (grade1 and grade 2). Students and class teachers were given two distinct questionnaires on student’s preference, performance, learning and behavior. Subject preference of student participants revealed that certain colours support specific skills of primary grade children. Blue and orange demonstrated most favourable impacts on their learning and behaviour. Blue was found to enhance creative artistic skills of children while orange and yellow were identified to support logical thinking associated with mathematics. Green and purple were found to have a balanced impact on improving both logical and creative thinking. Orange and green classes were with a majority of students significantly skilled in learning. A positive impact of blue colour on school attendance was identified. Accordingly, the potential of colours in creating conducive learning spaces aligned with the learning objectives of primary education, was revealed.