CLASSTHETICS

Have you ever walked into a space and felt connected to the designer's vision because of the aesthetics? Humans are naturally drawn to beauty. Being in a well-designed space can ignite creativity within us. Across the globe, even high-end companies like Google have opted to curate innovative, fun, and aesthetically pleasing workspaces. The results? Increased productivity, creativity, and innovation.

Now, imagine the effect that intentionally curated classrooms could have on children's learning abilities and creativity.

Research has shown that classroom aesthetics can significantly impact a child’s ability to learn. Yes, it’s true—being in a beautiful, well-designed space can enhance learning.

As the new school term begins, educators need to consider the aesthetics of their classrooms. By all means, use your classroom as a large visual aid to help your students thrive and blossom.

Planning

This is the first and most critical step. Proper planning is key to the success of your classroom design. Here are a few important questions to ask yourself:

• What am I allowed and not allowed to do? (Especially relevant for teachers who don’t have full autonomy.)
• What is my students' age group, and what kind of decorations would suit them?
• What theme do I want to use?
• What colour scheme will work best?

Light, Sound, and Temperature

Lighting is a crucial part of any classroom. Natural light is ideal, creating a bright and airy environment where both teachers and students can see clearly. Poorly lit classrooms have been shown to reduce learning.

Temperature is another factor—learning in a hot environment is far from pleasant. Depending on the class size, the temperature can rise quickly, so it's essential to have large windows, doors, fans, or AC units to regulate the classroom temperature.

Good acoustics are also necessary. If the sound doesn't travel well, teachers will strain their voices, and students will struggle to hear. Classrooms should be designed to ensure sound flows easily throughout the space.

While these factors may relate more to the building itself than the classroom design, they still play a key role in the overall aesthetics and learning environment.

Visually Stimulating Without Over-Complexity

In our efforts to create visually appealing classrooms, it's easy to go overboard with decorations and visual aids. However, too much can become distracting rather than helpful. Keep it balanced—less is often more.

Seating Arrangement

When deciding on seating arrangements, consider the following:

• The age group of the students (younger learners may benefit from seating in semicircles).
• The number of students in the class.
• The size of the classroom.

Seating arrangements can also change based on the lesson. For example, during note-taking, a formal seating plan may work best, but for group projects, arranging chairs in circles may encourage collaboration.

Child-Led Displays and Ownership

Teachers can consider Involving their students in the classroom design process. Just as teaching is shifting towards more student-led learning, classroom design can follow suit. This gives students a sense of ownership and belonging. While this approach may work better with older students, younger learners can still benefit from classrooms designed with their perspectives in mind, making the space as child-friendly and engaging as possible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I must Re-emphasize that less is more when it comes to classroom aesthetics to avoid distractions. Consider using themes for each term or session to keep things interesting, provided time allows.

I hope you find this article helpful!