Tip of the Week
As the cold weather approaches, kids spend less time outdoors burning off all that wonderful energy. The change in weather also means that everyone - including you - spends more time indoors. Don't worry. There's an easy and inexpensive way to turn any room into an environment that fosters your child's learning and creativity. What's even better: You are very likely to think, "it's too quiet in there," while the kids play intently in their new space.
"Teachers know what the research confirms: Color, space and clutter can have a dramatic effect on a child's attitudes and behaviors. It can also affect their imagination, creativity and ability to learn," says PaintIdeas.com blogger Angie Stinner. "Fortunately, creating a soothing environment that helps kids learn and grow is easy. It's also the perfect project to bring parents and children together for a weekend of fun. All you need is a little paint and some inspiration."
Here are a few tips for creating the perfect area for learning and fun:
- Inspire creativity. When turning up the creativity in a child's room, a good place to start is the walls. Research reveals that painting a room in the colors of nature - light green or warm teal - can inspire creativity, as well as create a calm learning environment that promotes a positive state of mind. Light blue (the color of academics) or light pink or rose, are good colors too, especially for very active children who need a calming environment to focus.
- Let them write on the walls (or doors or dresser drawers). Educators recognize that giving kids a space to express their creativity or just think out loud is an important component of the learning process. Instead of creating paper clutter or buying a chalk or dry erase board, why not paint a wall, door or dresser drawers with chalkboard or dry erase paint?
- Create a space to work. You don't have to spend a fortune to give your child the perfect workspace for studying and homework assignments. You can transform a flea market desk - or repurpose a table and chair you already own - with a little spray paint. Coordinate by spray painting a bookcase, some picture frames - even the bed's headboard - to add a little more color to the room. The possibilities are endless.
