Life
Here's What Your Toddler's Favorite Color Says About Them, According To Science
Toddlers want what they want when they want it. Have you ever tried to tell a toddler “no” when they demand to wear their favorite outfit over and over again? Was that outfit perhaps head-to-toe neon orange — your toddler's favorite color? I would bet money that if they didn’t want to take it off, a tantrum ensued. It happens to the best of us. But what does your toddler's favorite color really mean to them?
As an adult, we can rationalize decisions based on what we know to be best for us, but toddlers — they live in a world all of their own where they make the rules for now while they learn about ours. This applies to the psychology of color theory as well.
I spoke with child wellness expert Maureen Healy, author of The Emotionally Healthy Child, about why toddlers become so attached to specific colors. "From my own perspective, colors are like food to children," Healy explains. "From a color theory perspective, every child is drawn to the colors they need emotionally at the moment, and I have no problem if boys or girls 'get stuck' on certain colors as their favorite. Sometimes a particular color makes a child 'feel better,' whether it calms them or simply puts them at ease."
She notes that colors that are reminiscent of water such as aqua, blue, or denim may be soothing to some children, but that other children may be drawn more to warmer colors such as red or orange for soothing purposes. It all depends on the specific needs of the child.
"Also, colors can be symbolic or representational — for example, the heart represents love and is most closely aligned to pink and green. So a love-focused child may only want to wear her pink princess dress during kindergarten, but then in third grade when she's more into unicorns, fairies, and mystical objects she changed her favorite color to purple," Healy says.
Even adults can change color preferences throughout their lifetime. So if your toddler seems stuck on a certain favorite color, it may change in time. Meanwhile, here's a handy guide with just a bit of insight into what your toddler's favorite color says about them in that moment.
Red
Toddlers who love red are probably strong-willed. They are the ones who want what they want when they want it even more than most toddlers. Weekly World News reported that red is also the color choice of many extroverts.
Blue
Calm and collected people are usually attracted to shades of blue, according to a report by Bustle. Serene like the cool colors of the ocean and sky, toddlers who love blue are probably pretty chill.
Green
Cuddly toddlers who are super affectionate may choose green as their favorite. Lovers of the color green are often seeking security and are loyal, reported Weekly World News.
Pink
Whimsical and playful, toddlers who love pink are usually the ones who want to play make-believe 24/7 and put having fun above all else. These childlike qualities are even present in adults who love pink, according to Bustle.
Purple
Purple-loving toddlers may be the budding artists among their peers. According to Psychology Today, they may often think outside of the box in order to get their creative juices flowing.
Orange
Friendly, social toddlers may be drawn to orange. Weekly World News reported that orange lovers may enjoy being the center of attention, and if the color preference sticks, you may see them starring on Broadway one day.
Yellow
Yellow is for the thinkers. Toddlers who like yellow might be good at planning and strategizing, according to Weekly World News — even if that just means organizing their toys.
Black
Yes, toddlers can love the color black. While Bustle reported that this color often suggests a personality that is moody, Psychology Today argued that it is also a sign of sophistication as well as sensitivity.
