A child’s ability to focus is often influenced by factors such as age, environment, and education. While young children typically have shorter attention spans, they can improve this skill over time with guidance.
Colors, in particular, have a significant impact on human psychology and behavior, especially in children. Research suggests that “academic colors” influence children’s focus, emotions, and academic performance.

What are “academic colors”?
Most of us know that focus and perseverance are essential to learning. Many parents worry about their children’s tendency to become easily distracted during study time. This distraction affects their academic performance and impairs their knowledge absorption.
One crucial factor that often goes unnoticed is the impact of colors on children’s psychological states and concentration. Research has found that colors profoundly influence brain states. Each color carries a unique meaning, influencing emotions and behavior.
For instance, when we gaze upon a clear blue sky or stand by the vast ocean, we instinctively feel calmer, our thoughts become lighter, and troubles seem to melt away. Blue is known to evoke a sense of tranquility and relaxation, helping children feel more comfortable during study time.
Focus and perseverance are key to effective learning.
In the summer, when we see something green or blue, we feel a sense of coolness, as if we’ve just eaten ice cream. This association is not a coincidence. Green and blue hues often evoke a sense of freshness and closeness to nature. This creates a pleasant learning environment, encouraging children to maintain their focus for longer periods.
In educational settings, the appropriate use of colors can reduce stress and enhance attention. A classroom decorated in soft colors, such as light blue or pale yellow, can induce a sense of comfort, making it easier for students to concentrate on their lessons. Conversely, overly bright or distracting colors can increase stress levels and hinder concentration.
Therefore, the thoughtful use of colors in learning spaces can foster a conducive environment for education.
Why is blue considered the “primary academic color”?
In 2010, a study by the University of Sussex in the UK revealed that the color blue could inhibit the release of the stress hormone cortisol and reduce anxiety.
Subsequently, in 2015, Japan’s Ritsumeikan University conducted an experiment involving 60 elementary school students. The students were asked to solve math problems for 30 minutes in blue and red classrooms. The results showed that students in the red room were 2.3 times more likely to become distracted, and their task completion quality was lower.
Moreover, in 2019, a University of California study found that blue stimulation shortens the perception of time by reducing activity in the brain’s temporal cortex. In contrast, red activates the amygdala, increasing stress and making people feel like time is passing more slowly.
Incorporating a touch of blue into the learning environment can enhance children’s learning.
These studies indicate that blue has a calming effect, relieves stress, improves concentration, and alters our perception of time. It helps children enter a state of deeper focus and prolonged thought.
However, everything has its limits. Prolonged exposure to blue environments can lead to low moods and reduced brain activity in children. Therefore, when aiming to improve a child’s focus on their studies, it is essential to add a touch of blue to their learning environment without overdoing it. For instance:
– Use blue highlighters for key points and black pens for notes. This color contrast creates visual emphasis, aiding long-term memory retention.
– When creating mind maps, use blue for the central theme and contrasting colors (such as orange) for branches to emphasize hierarchy.
– For stationery, opt for blue or green items such as erasers, pencil cases, rulers, notebooks, and pencil boxes. For larger items like desks, wallpaper, curtains, and chair cushions, consider light blue or gray-blue shades.
– Since children often study late into the night, a blue-light desk lamp can protect their eyes and enhance study efficiency.
– After studying, ensure your child relaxes and rests adequately to maintain effective and long-lasting energy levels for the next day’s studies.
Parents should choose soothing colored stationery for their children.
Cool colors refresh the mind, while warm colors soothe the spirit. While adding blue to the learning environment and earthy tones to the relaxation space won’t make your child a genius overnight, it will help them find a rhythm between relaxation and tension, leading to more efficient and resilient learning.