I read this blog post from the Washington Post this morning entitled Smart design + school = health. It described beautifully why atmosphere is important in the classroom. The final quote stood out to me:
“We really focused on what kids need. What I see in that space are kids gravitating to that atmosphere because they know it’s for them, about them. Everything is tailored to their needs.”
Dina Sorensen, project designer, VMDO Architects
Too often, when an architect or designer plans classrooms, they design for the best use of space at the best price. What if we designed classrooms so they didn’t feel like an institution? What if we considered the return on investment if the classroom actually helped learning?
When it comes to church classrooms, this is especially important. No child wants to go to a place where it looks like a plain, boring institution. We like restaurants that have some atmosphere and kids like a place just for them that has a little atmosphere too.
I see churches do this all the time with Vacation Bible school. They go all out to make a week special for the children. It is excellent when a church considers how to make its place welcoming to kids throughout the year.
We gravitate towards restaurants with a pleasant atmosphere. Churches need to consider how welcoming their children’s area is and why atmosphere is important in the classroom.
Do you need help giving your book or other content a great atmosphere? I am experienced in illustrating, designing, and writing books. Feel free to contact me.
Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.
