The Benefits of Coloring Pages in Your Classroom

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of using coloring pages in the classroom. This isn’t just ‘fun art’ time, though. Keep reading to see why coloring can be so beneficial for your students!

Improved Fine Motor Skills & Hand-Eye Coordination

Coloring requires students to be neat and stay inside the lines. This improves their dexterity and fine motor skills. So many young learners come to kindergarten with poor fine motor skills because they are using tablets more frequently than using their hands to play. Using crayons to color strengthens the muscles in their hands. As they track the page with their eyes and color with their hand, children are also improving their hand-eye coordination, making them more spatially aware. Coloring not only improves a child’s fine motor skills, but it also builds their muscle endurance. Working the small muscles in their hands will decrease hand fatigue. This will translate to writing in the classroom as well.

Increased Student Engagement

Coloring pages in the classroom increase student engagement. Students will see a blank coloring page and feel the anticipation of what it could be. Most children enjoy coloring, so they will be more engaged in an activity that requires coloring. This is a task that they will be happy to focus on, and an engaged class leads to a happy teacher!

Creates a Creative Outlet

With so many school districts cutting art programs, it’s important to give students a creative outlet in the classroom. When your students do coloring pages in the classroom, they will stimulate the creative side of their brain! They will see coloring as a ‘fun’ activity that they can do and they will enjoy the opportunity to be creative.

Reduces Anxiety

Studies have shown that coloring reduces anxiety. This study looked at undergraduate students and the impact of coloring on their learning. Participants reported that coloring significantly reduced anxiety. This study found that coloring lessens stress-related problems. This conclusion can be applied to our little learners as well. Coloring is a calming activity. Completing coloring pages in the classroom is much less stressful than completing a round of flashcards. Coloring pages can be used as a break after a more rigorous activity.

Builds Confidence

With the high expectations of students today, teachers need to find ways to improve student self-esteem. Coloring is a low-stress activity when compared to a writing assignment or word problem. Students that struggle in those areas can feel more confident when given a task like a coloring page. This is an area where all students can feel successful.

How do I use coloring pages in my classroom?

You might be thinking, ‘my admin will not be happy if I let my students color for fun.’ That’s why you should use coloring pages in your classroom that also require students to practice an academic skill!

Here are some ways you can incorporate coloring pages into your classroom:

• Ask students to brainstorm a writing activity by drawing out their ideas
• Allow students to create a cover page or illustration to pair with a finished piece of writing
• Complete a directed drawing as a class (this also allows students to practice their listening skills)
• Provide coloring pages as an early finisher activity
• Use color by code pages as an independent activity

Color by code pages are a fantastic way to accomplish two things: your students are getting meaningful academic practice while also reaping all the benefits of completing a coloring page! You can keep your admin happy because your students are working on an academic skill. You will also be happy because color by code pages are ideal for independent work. If you need to work with an individual student or a small group, color by codes will keep the rest of your class engaged in their own work.

Want to try out some color by code pages in your classroom? Click the button below!