Impact of Space and Color in the Physical Environment on Preschool Children’s Cooperative Behavior

Design elements within child care facilities are thought to have important effects on children’s behavior. Empirical studies that examine features of the physical environment, such as color, wall surfaces, and vertical space, and how they affect development are sparse. Using Gibson’s Ecological Theory of Visual Perception, this study investigated the impact that differentiated space, including changes in ceiling height and wall color, has on children’s cooperative behavior. Thirty preschool children experienced four different spatial conditions in small groups. Multivariate repeated-measures analyses of variance indicated that differentiation in ceiling height or wall color were related to higher levels of cooperative behavior among preschool children. As well, developmental level and gender were significant predictors of children’s cooperative behavior between spatial conditions. Findings from this study can benefit preschool administrators and designers concerned with developing children’s environments that encourage cooperative behavior in preschool children.