According to an article published jointly by the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College, the color red stimulates the blood and excite nerves. Therefore, it may be avoided in day care rooms or children's rooms. However, the color can affect children positively. It can, however, help revitalize and rejuvenate the nerves when a person is tired and lethargic. Researcher Gilbert Brighouse found people performed activities faster under red lighting. Therefore, a red room at a day care might give kids a boost in the afternoon when energy is lacking. Also, according to Parents.com, red is one of the first colors that newborns can see. At birth, babies can't distinguish colors, but around 3 to 4 months, they can perceive dark, bold colors such as red and green, but not pastel colors, which are often used in newborn nurseries. Walls with geometric patterns of red and another color work well in day care rooms, since patterns and shapes (in addition to the color red) are easy for newborns to notice, according the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute.
The color blue is known for its calming effects and its tendency to reduce blood pressure, the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College report states. It's an ideal color to paint a room at a day care. Blue can help to pacify upset babies and toddlers. In a day care facility, a blue room is an ideal place to take older children to resolve a fight between each other.
Yellow is a good paint color to use in day care facilities because it is known to stimulate the intellect, according to the the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College study. The color increases brain activity, an important goal in young learning centers. It also alleviates depression and bad moods, helping children (and day care workers) to stay cheerful and happy. Use yellow to paint an entire room or with another color to create a harmonious atmosphere.
The color green helps to promote a calm environment, because it's associated with trees and nature, the Center for Leadership in Education reports. Green also promotes creativity and intellect, the center's study relates. Further, green has been known to help alleviate tension in the head, since it reduces eye strain, which leads to headaches and migraines, as reported by grovehealthcare.com. Although children may not suffer from regular headaches, older employees may, especially from working with rowdy kids all day.