The Effects of Lighting on Children

It wasn't all that long ago that children spent much of their free time outdoors, but many of today's youth are more inclined to pursue indoor recreational activities, such as watching TV, video gaming or playing on computers. Such behavior has raised concerns about the effects of lighting on children.

Health

• In his paper "A Study Into the Effects of Types of Light on Children -

  A Case of Daylight Robbery," Dr. Warren Hathaway, who conducted a field experiment on lighting in classrooms, indicated that children with regular exposure to moderate amounts of natural light are healthier and taller than those who spend most of their time under artificial lights. Children who spend the bulk of their time under artificial lighting,even when active, are more prone to fat and weight gain; children with excessive exposure to artificial lighting may also be more prone to cavities.

Learning

• Dr. Hathaway further reports that natural lighting improves the learning abilities of children, enabling them to absorb material more easily, while artificial lighting can hamper education. High pressure sodium vapor lights are the worst of the lot in their effects on children, with students under such lighting scoring the lowest when tested for academic achievement. Sodium vapor lights also have been linked to higher absentee rates from school.

Soothing natural light

• According to A.J. Paron-Wildes, an architectural and design specialist who has helped develop environs for children with autism, fluorescent lights can be disruptive to and upset some children, with the hum in particular bothering autistic children. Natural lighting, on the other hand, offers a soothing effect to children. It also may keep them more well rested, helping them in establishing their circadian rhythms crucial to a good night's sleep. Darkness is also crucial in a child sleeping well. Elizabeth Pantley, author of the "No-Cry Sleep Solution" notes, "Lights push your child's biological 'go' button. On the flip side, darkness triggers the brain to release melatonin, a key sleep hormone."

Counteracting adverse effects

• There are ways to decrease the adverse effects for children when they spend too much time in an artificial lighting environment. For instance, there are fluorescent light bulbs on the market that offer the full spectrum of light, although such lights can be expensive and in short supply at times. Additionally, coloring artificial lights so they emit hues such as soft blues and greens -- or the actual walls of a room - can make children more comfortable when exposed to such light for extended periods. The best way to counteract artificial lighting effects, however, is to spend a significant amount of time outside daily; doing so seems to reduce the effects of exposure to artificial lighting to negligible levels.