A child sits at their desk waiting for the teacher to hand back their test and praying that it is not sprayed with red marks. Fellow students in the classroom know a paper that has several red markings on it will usually receive a lower grade. The child with many red markings on their test will quickly fold the paper and stuff it into their desk in the hope that no one saw their test.
There is an education movement to retire the reds for the softer colors of purple, green, and blue pens to mark student work. Many educators understand the psychological harm the constant red markings on the paper do to a child’s self esteem. After a child receives their test back with countless red markings there is a minimal chance they will bother to find out their errors. It is too embarrassing in the classroom to examine their errors and also many children do not want to show their parents their red stained test. Children want to please and a paper that is filled with red markings makes a child feel inferior and it is not a motivator. A child is not motivated to do better because they begin to shut down since the learning environment is not safe.
The purpose of grading a paper or test is to identify the child’s weakness and offer suggestions to improve their ability in a specific subject. Red markings are too bold for the student to calmly understand their errors; instead they become agitated and begin their self-critical dialogue. No student wants to fail; they just do not know how to excel.
All colors have an impact on our state of mind. Most children who are placed in a bright red room will be full of energy that will be harnessed in a negative or positive way. Red is a powerful color that gives us energy. Think of the sun with the brightness of reds, yellow, and oranges. These colors make our hearts beat faster, our internal temperature increase, and it symbolizes power. Colors such as blues and greens are calming colors to the body. Hospitals often have doctors wear blue or green scrubs because it relaxes the patient on a subconscious level. I have never seen a doctor wear red scrubs because it will stress the patient. Remember this when you decide to mark a child’s paper with red, the color of blood.
