Family Matters
"Just think of the effect on a sensitive child—he wants to run, but he’s a captive in a strange place that assaults his senses." |
"If you feel it’s a case of sensory overload, would you be willing to discuss it with the teacher?" |
"Some parents notice a change when they change the color of the walls, rugs, curtains, pajamas, sheets, and blankets." |
Back to: |
Color Me Happy?
by Janet Tubbs
The mother of a 3-year old was visiting a preschool in her area and
blurted, “Good grief! If my child wasn’t
hyperactive before he came
here, he sure would be when
he left!” She described the
building as the most cluttered
place she’d ever been, with
the noise level unbelievably
high. Within minutes, she was
ready to turn and run out the
door.
Just think of the effect on a sensitive child—he wants to run, but he’s a captive in a strange place that assaults his senses. No wonder they cry and disrupt the group.
Fortunately, most well-kept and inspected child care centers and
preschools are better maintained than the one this mother visited, but
her experience is all too common. 
If you are considering a preschool for your child, there are a few basic guidelines that may help in your decisions.
The next time you go to your child’s preschool, and as you step into the classroom, ask yourself how it “feels”. Your first impression is important since we tend to analyze or minimize our feelings in the next few seconds or minutes, saying, “Oh, it’s only my imagination.”
Now, look carefully around the room. Does it appear crowded? Are there are lot of decorations and papers on the walls?
Hanging from the ceiling?
If you feel it’s a case of sensory overload, would you be willing to
discuss it with the teacher? You may be doing her (and the kids) a
favor by bringing it to her attention.
Some preschools have corners painted different colors, with toys and
furnishings painted the same as the walls. Teachers often claim that
moods and attitudes of children are
changed when they spend time in
certain colors.
For example, pink is a calming color. It has been used by police departments in rooms for belligerent and uncontrollable individuals who not only calmed down, but soon fell asleep.
Some parents notice a change when they change the color of the walls, rugs, curtains, pajamas, sheets, and blankets. Usually children respond quite the opposite from adults to color; while red invigorates an adult it may soothe a child. Blue, a calming color to adults, may excite a child, so it may be a matter of trial and error with your own child.
We are all affected by the colors and “busy-ness”
of our
surroundings. It definitely has a strong effect
on children who are hyperactive or who
have attention deficit disorder. These
children react more quickly and noticeably
than others in the class.
Do your homework before you decide on
placing your child in a preschool or child
care center. If it doesn’t “feel” right to you, it’s not
right for your child.
Take a look around your home. What you discover may surprise you. And finally, read about the psychology of color. It has finally come into its own as a science rather than a strange and “way out” belief.
__________________________________________________
Janet Tubbs is founder and president of Children’s Resource Center, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
She is also one of the Founders of People for Children & Animals, Inc. Her column, Family Matters, is a regular feature of VegSource On-Line Magazine.
You can visit Janet's home page by clicking on this link: