Classroom Design - NextGen Spaces - Color Psychology - color symbolism

Color Psychology for Education: How Does Green Enhance the Learning Environment?

Written by Alicia Springer, M.Ed.

Listen to article:

Green is all around us. It is a color that has long been associated with nature, tranquility, and peace and is arguably the most important color students should have access to in their learning environments. Exposure to live plants and the color green have a positive impact upon visual and verbal creative thinking in classroom settings.

green-color-psychology

“In every walk with Nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” - John Muir

COLOR PSYCHOLOGY FOR EDUCATION


green-classroom-seating

 

Colors for Learning: The impact of green

There are hundreds of studies that support the idea that experiences with nature boost academic learning and improve children's psychological and physical well-being. But what if your students do not have access to an outdoor classroom or the freedom to take a stroll outside? Luckily, even having a view of nature out of the window helps restore kids' attention, providing them the opportunity to reset their concentration.3

green-classroom-furniture

A little bit of green has a great effect on happiness. - Bobby Berk

 

green is commonly associated with:

 

  • Nature
  • Harmony
  • Tranquility
  • Peace
  • Growth
  • Renewal


green-classroom-seating

Other beneficial colors that reflect the natural world are yellow, which reminds us of warmth, sunshine, and happiness, and blue, representing sky and water, which can lower blood pressure and relieve stress, allowing for maximum focus and awareness. 

download button color psychology

 

use green as a stimulant to:

 

  • Focus
  • Relax
  • Inspire creativity
  • Motivate
  • Reduce fatigue
  • Relieve stress

green-classroom-design

The meanings of green can vary by shade. For example, bright green represents rebirth and spring whereas olive green embodies earthliness and tranquility.

 

green has the ability to:

 

  • Promote balance
  • Generate positive outcomes
  • Provide a sense of security
  • Improve memory
  • Stabilize the nervous system
  • Alleviate anxiety and depression
  • Increase self-control and compassion
  • Reduce irritability

the-color-green-and-learning

In a study of secondary schools, Matsuoka found that the amount of green space visible from cafeteria and classroom windows was positively linked with test scores, graduation rates, and percentage of students planning to attend post-secondary education.6

green-color-psychology-and-learning

Consider apple green or clover chairs paired with natural colored worksurfaces for rooms without a view of nature. 

green-classroom-tables

I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in tune once more. - John Burroughs

Research has shown that creativity is likely to increase when people are surrounded by green plants and have access to green views of nature.8

typical_layouts

 

three tips for designing with green in learning environments: 

 

    • Bring the outside in: Maximize students' and teachers' health and well-being by adding a few green plants into your classroom.
    • Wallpaper: Replace your basic bulletin board with a bold nature print keeping the base green. It will create a wonderful natural theme (think forest or jungle).
    • Views of nature: If you don't have nature views, consider a plant wall (real or faux), a green rug, or pictures of greenery to hang on the wall.
 

color-psychology-green >>> Download favorite (.cmfav) and insert this layout in your CET drawing.



 

rethinking learning environments for the future workbook download

 


  1. Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

  2. Vancouver Salish School
  3. Li, D., & Sullivan, W. (2016). Impact of views to school landscapes on recovery from stress and mental fatigue. Retrieved 29 August 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169204615002571
  4. Casa Grande Elementary, Photo by CDP Photography
  5. Dove Mountain CSTEM K-8 School, Marana USD, Photo by Corgan
  6. Matsuoka RH. Student performance and high school landscapes: examining the links. Landscape and Urban Planning. 2010; 97(4): 273–282.
  7. Acton Elementary
  8. Studente S, Seppala N, Sadowska N. Facilitating creative thinking in the classroom: Investigating the effects of plants and the colour green on visual and verbal creativityThinking Skills and Creativity. 2016;19:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.tsc.2015.09.001
Aug 30, 2022

Get News Sent to Your Inbox

We respect your inbox & only send helpful content.

Subscribe to Email Updates