4 minutes read | Rethinking kids’ design series, Pt. 2 | Written by Dorja Benussi

At its core the idea is very simple. For example, if children were given the opportunity to choose a pilates ball instead of a school chair, in 6 months we would notice a huge positive difference in their behaviour and learning. Why aren't we already implementing these simple, yet effective, ideas?

The various principles of sensory approach are nicely applied in children’s parks or seen through some developmental physical activities for younger children. But the problem arises when we look at pre-school and school age. For children, for whom learning on an academic basis is slowly becoming an increasingly important task, the activities and environment are surprisingly dull and uninspiring, oftentimes pretty limiting too. As a child gets older and more is expected of their development the brain's needs for learning and emotional self-regulation outstrip their environment creating imbalance. A typical environment for children is just a mini-version of the environment for adults. And such an environment, even in adults, does not have a very positive effect on emotions or productivity.

Should we even talk about baby products and indoor toddler activities while they should ideally be crawling around, eating grass and playing with river pebbles?

Of course, wellbeing is affected by many more factors other than the physical and environmental ones; that goes without saying. For a while, I have been concerned about the place design has in our daily lives and it's value to society, with emphasis on the ephemeral, and beauty, over substance and meaning. This is especially true when we talk about the problems of design implementation in our education system. It goes way beyond the environment. I worried that the new and supportive learning environment is just a patch for a situation that needs to be radically changed. If the education system as such needs to be completely changed, I wondered are physical products important here at all? Are they even needed if the child is actually learning best while hanging upside down from a tree? Should we even talk about baby products and indoor toddler activities while they should ideally be crawling around, eating grass and playing with river pebbles?

Yeah, I’m aware I went too far with that. Interior design will be necessary and important as long as humans use interior spaces. The environments we use for living will always be more or less adjusted, pleasant… supportive. And I believe we should all focus more on the ones our children use. If they’re mindfully shaped to be inclusive, flexible, dynamic and supportive, they really can make such a great difference.

Do we really need to feel responsible?

The fact that the environment is so important for the development of a child’s brain and their emotional and rational system simply underscores the undeniable responsibility we have as parents and designers. When we talk about children's wellbeing, we are talking about establishing and building a foundation for the rest of their lives.

I believe both parenting and design can be the pillars we need for changing the world and our future for the better. Neither they will change everything, nor will a single pilates ball in the classroom do much if the school system remains stunted as it has so far. But, if we look at parenting and design as elements of change, in a system that should strive for progress, then I think we can channel our responsibility, and the great possibilities our actions can have. I may definitely sound dramatic (boom), but I promise it will all be fun and games from now on.

When kids can consciously engage their senses they are happier and can focus better. Mindfulness and emotional regulation are crucial skills that can (and must) be nurtured from early on. As caregivers, we are the ones who can provide the tools.

Written by
Dorja Benussi

Co-founder of Tink Things and Benussi&theFish
Designer & creative director, mom, dancer, overthinker, peace pursuer