How do I add colourful learning elements on my painted classroom walls? Yes – your walls could double up as learning aids. And, How? Wall stickers!
Every preschool classroom needs to be engaging, safe and educational. These three points need to be kept in mind even while painting or decorating the classroom’s walls.
Your classroom’s layout and the amount of wall-space you have will help you pick the right kind of wall stickers (also called wall decal). So before buying any wall decal, measure the wall space, read up about the decal’s dimensions and then purchase.

Choosing the right wall stickers

There are at least a thousand unique and engaging wall stickers in the market today. But to pick a few that make the most sense for your classroom is a vital task. Here are a few things to keep in mind before buying

• If you have a theme for the class – then find relevant stickers. For example if your theme is ‘Nature’ then your alphabet sticker could be picked from here. It is good to narrow down on a theme as it helps you plan your decor inline with the theme.
• The wall stickers need to be made of child-friendly and non-toxic material.  Check for specifications before you make a purchase.
• Check if it can be cleaned with water to remove dirt or if there is a specific way to clean the decal. They might soon look old and dirty if not maintained well.
• It is better to find wall stickers that can be removed. Also, check if it would damage your walls when removed – this will help you plan ahead (if you wish to continuously change the look and feel of your class)
• Buying decals individually and putting them up on your own is the most affordable option. But you could also look for an alternate option – School Decor is a company that specializes in classroom decor. It might cost you a little more but the work will look much more professional and you can get full-wall decals.
• A few stickers like alphabets, vehicles, colours, shapes, opposites, animals, height tree can be easily found online and put up in your class. These general themes are good to have in any classroom or your free play area. You could also get a wall decal that measures a child’s height in the common area. It not only adds colour to your room but also has a purpose.
• A slightly more expensive option would be customizing the decal. You can design a wall sticker on your laptop and get it printed. Engrave  – an online company helps customize your walls based on your requirement.

Choosing the right wall paints for your wall stickers

Once you have decided to go with wall stickers to make your walls looking meaningful then, you also need to make a few smart choices with your colours. Ensure that the paint that is used on your classroom’s walls is waterproof, long-lasting and can be easily cleaned.
Read the article on choosing the right colour for your preschool classroom before you decide on the right shades for your classroom that complement the wall stickers. The wall colours must be chosen to stimulate learning in a classroom while the wall stickers must complement the learning by serving as useful visual cue.
Bright colours like red and orange can over stimulate a child and make them hyper-active. Using it on one wall or part of a wall is highly recommended. You can keep this nook as a dramatics corner or activity zone. And, your wall stickers could go up on the other side that sports a pastel shade.

Other considerations

Also, while selecting furniture for a preschool classroom, the colors can be chosen to complement the wall colors. A bright set of chairs and tables can be used in the free-play and learning space to attract learners. A big light blue carpet or chair with green cushions can be placed in the reading corner to induce calmness.
If you have a slightly higher budget then you can explore this – engage a professional who will drop in and set it all up for you.
Also, it is important to choose non-toxic, chemical-free paints as it is children’s workspace that we are painting. Excising a little caution in choosing eco-friendly paints would ensure providing a safe and healthy environment for the children.
The above couple of ideas can be executed well within Rs.10000. But if you do have a higher budget and wish to customize then you can also speak to an interior decorator, design the wall-decals and get an artist to paint the class.
You can also find a lot of interesting things for your classrooms in your local market. These markets sell stationery, wall stickers, posters and other items in bulk and at slashed prices. Avenue Road in Bangalore, Parry’s Corner in Chennai, Abdul Rehman Streets near Crawford Market in Mumbai and Nai Sadak in Chandni Chowk, New Delhi.
Share your experience with us! Send us a picture of your freshly painted classroom with wall decals.