Articles about coloring often make big claims about the brain. Some are reasonable; some are exaggerated. Here is a plain-English look at what coloring actually asks of a child’s brain, based on what we know about how children develop, and where the claims tend to go too far.
Several systems working together
Coloring looks simple, but it pulls together many abilities at once.
Vision
The visual system has to find shapes, tell them apart from the background, notice edges and judge colors. These skills, called visual perception, are covered in coloring and visual perception.
Movement
Planning and controlling fine movements of the fingers and wrist involves motor areas of the brain working with the cerebellum, which helps with smooth, coordinated movement. Each stroke involves planning, doing and adjusting.
Hand-eye feedback
The eyes see where the crayon is going and the brain adjusts the hand in real time. This feedback loop, practiced thousands of times, is what makes movements smooth.
Attention
Staying focused on a page uses the brain’s attention networks, which mature slowly through childhood.
Planning and decisions
Choosing colors, deciding what to do first and following rules involve the brain’s executive functions, which are associated with the prefrontal cortex and develop well into early adulthood.
Emotion and calm
Many people find coloring relaxing. Studies with adults and children have found that coloring structured designs can reduce anxiety, at least in the short term. Researchers think the repetitive, focused nature of coloring may draw attention away from worries.
What the research supports
- Coloring can reduce short-term anxiety. Curry and Kasser (2005) found that coloring a structured pattern reduced anxiety in college students more than free-form coloring. Carsley, Heath and Fajnerova (2015) found that a mindful coloring activity reduced test anxiety in children.
- Fine motor practice builds fine motor skill. This is well established. Coloring is one of many ways to get that practice.
- Creative activities support wellbeing. Studies such as Kaimal, Ray and Muniz (2016) found that making art lowered a stress hormone, cortisol, in many adult participants.
Where claims go too far
- "Coloring rewires the brain." All learning changes the brain in some way, so this is technically true of everything and tells you nothing.
- "Coloring uses both sides of the brain." The idea of strict left-brain and right-brain people is a myth. Almost every activity uses both hemispheres.
- "Coloring treats anxiety or ADHD." Coloring can be a helpful calming tool, but it is not a treatment.
Why it still matters
Even without dramatic claims, coloring is a healthy activity for a growing brain. It combines movement, vision, attention, planning and emotion in one low-pressure task, and it does so in a way kids enjoy and choose to repeat. Repetition is how brains build skill.
The brain also responds to interest. Kids who love space will focus longer on an alien than a flower, which is why choosing pages they care about matters. Trace Then Color: Cartoon Aliens and, for older kids, Trace Then Color: Alien Cyborgs are favorites with space fans.
Questions parents ask
Does coloring make kids smarter?
There is no evidence that coloring raises intelligence. It builds specific skills and can support focus and calm, which help learning.
Is coloring good for brain development in toddlers?
Scribbling with crayons is a healthy part of toddler play. It supports fine motor development and lets toddlers explore cause and effect.
Is digital coloring the same for the brain?
Tapping to fill a space skips most of the fine motor control and pressure of real coloring. It is a different activity.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
