Feeling Colours - The Superpower of Colours

Colours have a superpower. It starts in childhood; most people have a favorite colour. This can, of course, change throughout life, but the preference for a particular colour is always very subjective and arises from the gut. Colours have the fascinating ability to touch a level within us that, in its complexity, is often difficult for us to fully access: colours can directly affect our emotional world. They surround us, and they evoke something within us. 

A brief digression into colour theory

We live in a world full of colour. Consequently, many people have already studied the topic of colour extensively. And indeed, the fundamentals of colour theory are helpful for working with colours and provide a certain understanding of how colours "work."

The first step, therefore, is to examine the primary colours. They form the basis of the colour system and include red, yellow, and blue. All other colours can be mixed from these three. Mixing two primary colours creates the secondary colours: green, orange, and violet. Together, the primary and secondary colours form the fundamental colour system.

Such basic knowledge fosters an understanding of how colours are mixed, how hues can be altered, and how the countless tones and nuances of colour arise. Furthermore, this knowledge forms the basis for understanding colours and their effects, and for consciously using and combining them.

Every colour has a different effect. But not only that. Every colour also affects every person differently. The effect of colour is therefore highly individual. And yet, there are some colours that are attributed with a specific effect and that generally meet with a common understanding of when and for what purpose they are used.  

Red is  an activating signal colour, often perceived as powerful and stimulating, and well-suited for setting accents. Blue, on the other hand, is the colour of vastness, often directly associated with the sky or the sea, and brings with it a clear and cool tranquility. Green is connected to nature and has a calming, fresh, and balancing effect on many people. And yellow is frequently perceived as vitalizing and optimistic, representing warmth and creativity. Whether one sees and feels this way, however, depends on neurobiological, cultural, social, and entirely individual perspectives.

Colours in child development

Colours can evoke a wide range of emotional responses. This applies to both adults and children. Therefore, colours play a crucial role in childhood development. After all, children are surrounded by colours every day, and their perception is much more open than that of adults. They perceive both their environment and the colours that characterize it much more intensely and unfiltered. The conscious use of colour in a child's environment can help evoke certain moods in children. This can be used, for example, in different rooms of daycare centers to promote calmness, creativity, or concentration. Colours can define spaces and facilitate categorization.

Regarding cognitive development, colours are often beneficial because they make play and learning materials much more appealing to children. They can motivate, direct attention, structure information, and promote concentration. Their creativity and self-awareness are supported by their ability to express and represent certain feelings through colour.

The conscious combination of colours opens up countless possibilities, and even small colour differences can make a big difference in the overall effect. The combination of light and dark colours, warm and cool colours, colours with or without contrast, and complementary colours—all these are levers that influence the overall effect of colour and can lead to a balance in various ways.

Colour and play materials: Introducing children to colour consciously

Colours never stand entirely on their own. They are always related to the things that "carry" the colour. Therefore, colour is highly context-dependent and related to the material and function of an object. Furthermore, colours are usually surrounded by other colours, which influences their effect.

This is particularly interesting in relation to play materials. Colours are practically indispensable in play materials. This is also true for our play materials, where colour, shape, and material or feel are inextricably linked.

Colour-coordinated play materials can contribute to creative development and stimulate the imagination. Here, too, primary colours are a good starting point for a gentle introduction to the world of colour. Simple combinations of primary colours with natural tones, or of primary colours and their corresponding shades, can expand the spectrum.

Inspired by the colours of the seasons, current favorite colours, or colours associated with specific themes, such as red with a fast race car or blue with a sailboat on a calm sea, these colours invite free play. Such connections are easy to make and constantly generate new play ideas and moods.

Tip: Sorting colours is also a popular and beneficial activity. It trains the eye, creates connections between colours and their corresponding hues, and can be done almost anywhere.

Awareness of colour

We encounter colours every day, everywhere. We're so used to them that we often don't even notice them. It's easy to forget that colours are highly subjective. They affect everyone differently and always interact within the context of their surroundings. That they are more than just decoration is undeniable. They create space for reflection and projection. They evoke emotions and create balance. Knowing the importance of colours in our world and the strong subjective perception of them allows us to choose them consciously and address individual needs. Introducing children to colours early on can therefore be very helpful in developing an understanding of them and an awareness of their effects. This allows children to explore their own personal needs regarding colours from an early age and discover their fascination with colours and their superpowers.

Discover an entire world of colourful imagination with the Grimms open-ended toy collection.