Bringing Hygge into your Classroom - Part 1 in the 'Hygge Your Classroom' Series

Hygge in the classroom - Part 1

Written by - Shabnam @miss.d.prepteacher

Hooga? Hhyoooguh? Heurgh? I think everyone stumbles over how to pronounce or even spell ‘hygge’. To paraphrase one of the greatest philosophers of our time -Winnie-the-Pooh- when asked how to spell a certain emotion, ‘You don’t spell it, you feel it’. Creating Hygge is all about atmosphere and experience rather than ‘the stuff’. It’s a feeling of safety, comfort, love and true belonging. As we reach the halfway point of 2020 and reflect on our experiences over the last six months, the relevance of creating this atmosphere in classrooms has never held such vital importance. We are now entering the third month of school closures. For most children, this is three months of home-schooling without social contact with teachers or friends. Soon the school gates will open and little feet will return to the land that feels far far away. For many this will mean returning to different classrooms, new teachers and new classmates and home will most definitely feel a million miles away. Infusing the magic of hygge into your classroom is a wonderful way to help soothe this transition and offer comfort by creating a calm family feeling of ‘cosy togetherness’.

In part one of this series I will be talking through the art of hygge lighting in the classroom, and my own tricks and tips about how to vary this throughout the day to suit mood and energy levels. 

Hyggelig Lighting

One of my favourite descriptions of the hygge atmosphere is ‘cocoa by candlelight’. Just saying those words out loud sends me into a dreamy state of mind. The lighting at the beginning and end of my day in the classroom is definitely this. One of the beautiful advantages of creating hygge in your classroom is that the benefits are as much for you as for the children. First thing in the morning I steer clear of the fluorescent strip lights, and reach for my table lamps. I have several dotted around my classroom. Positioning these in dark corners enhances their calming glow and helps to create cosy cave-lit scenes. Fairy lights also help to add that magical touch, and turning these on first thing in the morning feels like my teacher sparkle ‘switch on’. The warm lighting really helps to ease into the day, and creates a calm,  welcoming atmosphere for the children to walk into. Adding an extra element through use of visuals on the IWB can also enhance this feeling. Depending on the season, having a crackling log fire playing, a spring sunrise, or perhaps a rainy forest scene can create a real sense of coming together as a family.

Following register time and a little morning chat I reach for the blinds to let more natural light in and say hello to the day. This wake up signals that it’s time to get busy and begin our tasks.  As the sun gets higher in the sky, lights become brighter in the room inspiring higher energy levels and productivity. Making use of natural light is a great guide when adjusting lighting in the classroom. The daylight has such an impact on our mood throughout the day, no matter how tall or small you are! Catering to this really helps to balance the children’s energy levels and creates a natural rhythm to the day. As home time creeps closer, think about slowly winding down the lighting, just as you would do at home when bedtime nears. I like to close the day with storytime. I have a cosy reading nook under a fairy lit tree where we like to gather at the end of each day. We turn on the story candle (aka battery operated pillar candle), enjoy a book and have a little natter. Turning off the story candle signals that our day together has come to an end, and that it’s time for home. 

Seasonal Light Shifts

Moving with the seasons and weather is also another important element when considering your use of hygge lighting in the classroom. Seasons are so mood inspiring, and adjusting to these can really compliment the atmosphere of your classroom setting. During the darker months when natural light isn’t as bright first thing in the morning, why not add lanterns to the children's desk with battery operated candles. These add such a lovely feel to the room and can really help to get the creativity flowing. During autumn months try to bring the outside in, adding warm shades of oranges and reds around lamp-lit areas. Or if it’s a blue sky morning, open up the windows and celebrate that sunshine. The beauty of having table lamps in your environment is that those soothing pools of light will always be on hand to add that little touch of calm to your environment, no matter what the sun decides to do.

Next Time...

I really hope that’s helped to inspire a few ideas as to how you can incorporate hygge into your learning space.

In the next series of Hygge Your Classroom I will share ideas and ways to encourage your children to personalise their learning environment to create a real sense of family ownership. Until then, keep cosy and carry on.