How Light Changes The Behavior of Children (John Ott, 1973)

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]Time-lapse cameras were used in a standard first grade classroom, and several hyperactive children may be noted, especially the boy in the immediate foreground.

[00:00:13]90 days after the regular cool white fluorescent tubes were replaced with the new tight fullsp spectrum fluorescent tubes with radiation shields, there was a marked improvement noted, and the extremely hyperactive boy has voluntarily moved up to the front row.

[00:00:29]He raises his hand for recognition and is now up at the blackboard taking part in classroom activities. Prior to the time that this new lighting was installed, this particular boy had an extreme learning disability problem, but quickly learned to read within 90 days after the new lights were installed.

[00:00:47]There was further noted a general average improvement in both the behavior and academic achievement of the entire class. There are however other factors that must also be considered. The implications of the biological effects of light and radiation as observed through time-lapse photography are obvious.