Does a room decorated in neutral tones and pastels help one relax and fall asleep faster? And do bright and light colors boost mood more than darker ones? For adults, this is usually true\u2014but do these rules also apply to young children? Which colors should be chosen for furniture, furnishings, accessories, toys, and clothing to support their well-being, stimulate them, and positively influence their behavior? Are there colors that are more suitable for girls and others for boys?<\/p>\n
To begin with, newborns have little to no ability to perceive colors. It is only around 4\u20135 months of age that they begin to distinguish the different colors of objects. By 5 months, in particular, they are able to recognize categories of colors\u2014such as red from yellow or green from blue\u2014and even shades within the same color, such as various tones of red.<\/p>\n
From an evolutionary standpoint, it is important that this skill is developed around the time the baby begins crawling and moving around, as it helps them orient themselves and identify potential threats.<\/p>\n
Experts also refer to evolution when discussing the emotional associations we attach to certain colors<\/strong> (17). Humans spent much of their evolutionary history outdoors, exposed to sunlight, the blues of the sky and water, and the greens of vegetation. It\u2019s reasonable to assume that yellow, blue, and green are naturally associated with positive feelings such as well-being, safety, and calm. On the other hand, black and gray\u2014colors of the night, a time when our ancestors had to hide from predators\u2014are linked to storms and bad weather.<\/p>\n Some studies also suggest that our color perceptions are influenced by seasonal conditions: in winter, we tend to prefer warm colors like red and orange, which evoke a sense of warmth; in summer, we gravitate toward cool colors like blue and green, associated with water and plant shade.<\/p>\n As children grow, their preferences for certain colors and emotional associations with them are shaped more by personal experiences and cultural context. A 5-year-old girl may dislike yellow because someone told her that \u201cyellow clothes don\u2019t suit her,\u201d while a 6-year-old boy may love black because he practices judo and \u201cwants a black belt.\u201d Nonetheless, children continue to prefer bright and light colors, often associating them with positive emotions, energy, and well-being.<\/p>\n\t\t