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Colour and clutter can dim minds of pupils

17 Nov 2006

Academic warns that complicated displays of artwork may hamper children's progress. Firework-themed artwork, the Chinese dragon model and the crepe-paper Santa Clauses may have to go - cluttered classrooms that dazzle children with a riot of bright colours could impede their learning, new research suggests.

A calmer, more sober atmosphere is a better environment for communicating with young children, according to education consultant Elisabeth Jarman's report, commissioned by the Basic Skills Agency. Her study on the early years and foundation stage deals with the detrimental effects of 'cluttering' upon youngsters' speaking and listening skills.

The idea that children need to be able to hear themselves think challenges the received wisdom that playgroups, nurseries and classrooms should be vivid, vibrant places festooned with children's work, and will have implications for infant classes. The agency hopes the principles, which encompass the building layout, use of natural light and the colour of the walls, will be taken on board by schools. Ms Jarman said: "Over-stimulating environments are not always the best. That has implications for the use of displays. Sometimes it is a visual overload for children. It can make it very difficult for them to concentrate."

Jenny Cobley, the agency's senior assistant director for early years and primary, said the popularity of television shows involving de-cluttering showed what an effect on people's lives the principles espoused in the report could have. "We hope we've put it tactfully enough for practitioners to realise that there may be something in it," she said. "There's a lot more work to be done in developing an appropriate toolkit and support for them. Our aim was to see how speaking and listening might improve."

(By Sadie Gray, TES, 17 November 2006)

Tags: Talk To Your Baby