The Power of Yellow: Lost but Not Forgotten

In the colourful world of parenting, the choices we make for our children's clothing go beyond fashion. Beyond styles and trends, there lies a realm where science meets practicality.

In this realm, the colour of your child's outfit can have a significant impact on their visibility and safety, especially in busy public spaces.

Today, I want to tell you about my favourite colour and some research I found on it.

The Colour Yellow

When I envision yellow, I'm surrounded by the comforting warmth of a sun-drenched day, a refreshing slice of Capri lemon perched atop my glass of lemon-lime bitters, fizzing with delight.

It brings to mind Trinny Woodall in her signature yellow and her chic fashion sense, giving me a boost of happiness and optimism for the day ahead.

What I hadn't considered before starting on this journey is that yellow could play a role in helping the visibility of my child if they were to ever become separated from me. Yellow has actually been found to have a greater effect on attention and visual recognition compared to other colours.

Research on Yellow and Visibility 

Research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that yellow is the most striking colour in terms of attracting attention.

No wonder I could always find my yellow Frank Green water bottle! In a series of experiments, participants were asked to quickly locate and identify coloured objects in a visual display.

And guess what the results were? Yup, yellow objects were detected faster and more accurately than other colours. (which is why My Bright Tykes signature look is our yellow matching sets)

The Importance of Yellow in Children's Safety  

But what does this mean for parents navigating family outings? It means that dressing your child in yellow can significantly increase their chances of being noticed and remembered by a passerby in case they wander off or become separated from you.

So, here’s another study, conducted by the University of British Columbia. Participants were shown images of people wearing different coloured clothing and asked to recall the colours they had seen after a brief delay. And again, what did they find?

Yellow clothing was remembered more accurately and vividly compared to clothing of other colours, making it easier for individuals to recall seeing someone dressed in yellow. Yay! yellow wins again!

The Magic of the colour yellow

But why does yellow have this magical effect?

It all comes down to how our brains process colour. Yellow is like a neon sign in a sea of dull colours—it's bright, bold, and impossible to ignore.

Our brains are naturally drawn to it, making it easier for us to spot and remember. Have you ever wondered why caution signs, taxi cabs, and school buses are yellow?

But it's not just about catching people's attention; it's also about making a lasting impression.

Studies have shown that yellow is associated with positive emotions, including happiness, warmth, and friendliness, which may explain why I like it so much.

This positive association may lead people to perceive individuals dressed in yellow more favourably and remember them more vividly. So, if you want your child to have special treatment at kindy or primary school, dress them in yellow and they will definitely be getting more learning done! (Joking, we teachers don’t favour students)

Moral of the story

No, but in all seriousness, the moral of the story here is that next time you're planning a family outing or adventure, consider dressing your child in yellow.

Not only will they look adorable, but they'll also be easier to spot and remember, ensuring their safety and your peace of mind.

Even if they get momentarily lost, they definitely won’t be forgotten, making it simpler for you to enlist the help of others in locating them. So, embrace the power of yellow (like I have) and keep your child visible and safer wherever you go!