Applying Colour Therapy to Improve Attention and Learning in Children with ADHD

The application of color therapy to manage ADHD symptoms relies on the notion that every color on the light spectrum has a distinctive wavelength and vibration. These qualities translate into fields of energy or electrical impulses that affect body functions by targeting neurons in the brain. As a result, they can influence individuals’ thoughts and emotions. In particular, studies demonstrate that colors can initiate feelings of excitement, joy, inspiration and calmness. However, colors are also associated with negative outcomes like anxiety, and tension, meaning that it is crucial to observe recommendations and guidelines provided by evidence-based research during color therapy. Color therapy is recommended for children because they are more sensitive and responsive to colors. Hence, the short-term and long-term effects are notable, which creates room for continuous evaluation and adoption of better strategies. Therefore, chromo therapy can assist children with ADHD to increase their productivity by facilitating calmness and a clear mindset to focus on the tasks ahead without paying attention to environmental distractions.

Several studies support that color therapy has a positive effect on children diagnosed with ADHD. Researchers claim that the use of color saturation to manage ADHD cases in educational institutions improves hand writing skills and allows children to regulate their attention due to cortical activation mechanisms. As a result, researchers propose using colored papers in assignments on students with comorbid ADHD. Similarly, another study established that color stimulation modules can improve children’s attention span and improve their performance in spelling tests and letter recognition, especially when letters and numbers are written in bold color formats. Moreover, color formats enhance children’s memory more than animations or non-color changes when a child is exposed to the information multiple times. Therefore, scientists propose using colors in identified ADHD cases as it can enhance learning abilities and the value of education. Nevertheless, taking note of what colours to use and various blends can help educators achieve more certain and positive results.

Child development researchers suggest that different colours can be used for different purposes. Nevertheless, colors that carry a positive effect also have the potential to result in negative reactions. Being exposed to excess stimuli can affect a child’s heart rate, blood pressure, breathing patterns, and muscle tension. Similarly, insufficient exposure can lead to sleeplessness, emotional reactions, nervousness, and diminished concentration which might aggravate ADHD symptoms. Thus, it is critical to establish a neutral and balancing effect during chromo therapy to avoid results that contradict expectations. For example, when an active child is exposed to an energetic color like red, they might become more active and the activity may persist throughout the day, which can adversely influence their ability to concentrate in class, deliver on assignments, and relate with others. Thus, it would be appropriate to expose an unusually active and energetic child to purple, blue, or green colors as they can alleviate restlessness and facilitate calmness. That being said, understanding the effects of different colors on brain activity and emotions can help parents and educators to prepare children with ADHD for effective learning activities and valuable interactions.

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Red is a color that is associated with a strong stimulus because of its dominance over other colors. According to scientific research, red has a higher stimulating effect on visual activities and the functions of the autonomic nervous system than other colors. Red is also an ambiguous color that distorts other colors since the eye must focus more to see the color. As a result, scientists do not recommend using red to paint walls in children’s classrooms. However, the ambiguity and dynamism of the color can be reduced by mixing it with white and pink to achieve a softer undertone. Similarly, educators and designers can take advantage of the color’s warm effect to use it as an accent in rooms. Given the qualities of the color, it is not advisable to use intense shades of red in rooms where children with ADHD play, sleep, or study, since it can have a negative effect on their emotions or mental processes and interfere with their learning abilities.

On the other hand, blue is the opposite of red in all aspects. Blue is wet and transparent while red appears dry and opaque. The cold and comforting attributes of the color are regarded as psychologically bene