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Welcome back to the Calm Classroom, where we uncover the secrets to crafting a serene

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and productive learning space.

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I'm your host, Ellie Laird, and in today's episode titled,

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Crafting a Calm Learning Environment, we're immersing ourselves in the art and science

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of creating a harmonious classroom atmosphere.

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Let's dive deep into the first pillar of the Calm Classroom approach.

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Environment.

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At the Calm Classroom, we believe in harnessing the power of color theory to cultivate desired

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responses from our students.

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Did you know that color in its purest form is energy?

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It has its own magnetic frequency and can affect neurotransmitters in the brain.

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Colors can essentially create a biochemical response in the body.

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Crazy, right?

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I'm bringing this to your attention because we see colors every day, all day, and we aren't

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aware how they are actually affecting us.

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I'm going to tell you a quick story about my oldest daughter.

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When she was about two years old, we would take her out shopping with us.

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We would stop at Walmart, Ralph's, Target, or Albertsons.

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She is a highly sensitive child, very similar to many students in our classrooms.

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At Walmart, she would stay calm and write in the cart.

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At Ralph's, she would squeal and cry and act agitated throughout the entire store.

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She did the same thing at Target.

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At Albertsons, she was calm and quiet and played with a small toy.

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Why was she anxious at Ralph's and Target, but calm at Walmart and Albertsons?

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I'll tell you.

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Color!

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She was literally having a response to the branding colors found throughout each store.

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It was three years later that we finally figured this out.

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To this day, she's eight now, she still struggles in Target.

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This color travels in wavelengths, different colors affect us in different ways.

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So what colors should you be using in your classroom?

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Let's break it down.

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Green promotes concentration, clarity, and creativity.

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Several documented studies have been conducted to test this theory, and surprisingly, they

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have all had the same amazing results.

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Green helps you focus.

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Blue is another color that you should have in your classroom.

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The color blue boosts productivity and helps to lower anxiety to make you feel calm.

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Really dark blues can have the opposite effect, though.

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It can make one feel trapped and somber rather than peaceful.

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So go with a neutral or lighter blue.

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Here's one you may be surprised about.

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Orange!

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Orange is a mood booster and can help people feel naturally happy.

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But orange is a tricky one for the classroom.

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Don't use a bright, overstimulating orange.

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Use a mellow orange to promote calm happiness.

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Picture a classroom with elements of calming hues of blues and greens, promoting feelings

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of tranquility and focus.

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From the calming effects of blue to the creativity and focus sparked by green, strategic color

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choices can influence mood and behavior, creating an optimal environment for learning.

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But it's not just about colors.

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Our approach extends to the very essence of classroom decor.

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We advocate for a minimalistic aesthetic free of clutter and distractions.

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Studies have shown that a clutter-free environment promotes clearer thinking and reduces stress

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levels, particularly for students with learning disabilities and sensory processing disorders.

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By embracing simplicity and functionality in our decor, we create a space that fosters

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concentration and engagement.

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I have coached many new and veteran teachers, and the first thing I take note of is what

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do they have hanging up on the walls?

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I know there are so many different trains of thought out there, but I strongly suggest

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you take down all of those motivational posters, the content posters that they never really

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utilize anyways, and even the student work.

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If you have a space in your hallway or outside of the classroom, that should be your location

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for student work.

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I know I will probably get some flak from teachers about this one, but hear me out.

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I just read a study about the link between classroom environment and executive functioning

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skills.

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An overly decorated classroom leads to too much visual stimulation, especially for that

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vulnerable subgroup of students we've been talking about.

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Low executive functioning skills leads to poor working memory, an inability to self-regulate,

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anxiety, and a lack of focus.

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One of my biggest challenges as an educational consultant and coach is trying to convince

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teachers why they don't need to hang up that poster that says, just keep trying, or mindset

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is everything.

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Your intentions are so pure, and you're loved for that, but we need to start thinking about

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the invisible side effects of our good intentions.

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Just because I'm urging you to take down 95% of your wall decor doesn't mean your classroom

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has to be boring.

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On the contrary.

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In future episodes, we're going to discuss productive classroom spaces that promote self-regulation

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and peace.

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Now let's move on and shed some light on the importance of lighting.

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Lighting in the classroom has a huge impact on student success.

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This has been studied many times.

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I also have firsthand experience with the results of doing a lighting makeover in the

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classroom, so you can also take my word for it.

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Harsh fluorescent lights can disrupt circadian rhythms and cause eye strain, leading to fatigue

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and decreased focus.

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That's why we advocate for softer, more natural lighting in the classroom.

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Sunlight streaming through windows or warm lighting from lamps can create a calming

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ambience that enhances mood and concentration.

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But are all light bulbs created equal?

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No.

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The brand TCP creates light bulbs that mimic natural sunlight, while also eliminating harmful

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blue light that most LED light bulbs produce.

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Blue light can lead to sleepless nights and tired days.

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You might be thinking, but what about all that blue light that iPads and computer screens

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emit all day?

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I have a solution for that too.

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Try asking your IT department to install an app called F.LUX.

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This technology blocks different amounts of blue light throughout the day to match the

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amount emitted during the day by the sun.

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It helps students regulate their circadian rhythms during the day so they can sleep much

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better at night.

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Harons will certainly thank you for this.

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And let's not forget about the benefits of bringing nature indoors.

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Beyond their natural beauty, living plants serve as more than just decorative elements.

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They're essential contributors to a conducive learning space.

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Notably, plants play a vital role in enhancing air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and

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releasing oxygen, thus improving overall indoor air quality.

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This oxygen boost can enhance students' cognitive function, concentration, and overall well-being,

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leading to improved academic performance in a more positive classroom atmosphere.

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Additionally, the presence of plants has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved

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mood, creating a calming and nurturing environment for both students and educators.

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Moreover, caring for plants can instill a sense of responsibility and connection with

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nature among students, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment and promoting

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environmental stewardship.

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Overall, incorporating plants into the classroom is a simple yet powerful way to create a healthier,

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more harmonious learning environment.

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And speaking of ambiance, let's talk about background music.

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Not all background music is created equally.

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Did you know that playing baroque music with its steady tempo and intricate melodies can

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enhance cognitive function and improve focus?

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Just as shown, baroque music, particularly pieces composed by masters like Bach and

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Handel, can activate the alpha brain waves associated with relaxation and alertness,

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making it an ideal accompaniment to studying, reading, or completing tasks that require

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sustained attention.

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The intricate yet predictable patterns of baroque music engage the brain's cognitive

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centers, promoting a sense of mental order and clarity, while reducing feelings of stress

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and anxiety.

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Moreover, the repetitive nature of baroque compositions can help establish a rhythm of

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productivity, allowing individuals to enter a flow state where they are fully immersed

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in their work.

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By incorporating baroque music into the classroom environment, educators can create a conducive

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atmosphere for learning, where students can tune out distractions and harness their cognitive

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abilities to their fullest potential.

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By embracing color theory, minimalist decor, mindful lighting, nature, and background music,

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we create an environment that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.

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Join us next time as we continue our exploration of the calm classroom approach, delving deeper

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into the pillar of engagement.

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Until then, keep embracing tranquility and teaching with compassion.

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This is Ellie Laird, signing off.

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Take care and stay calm.