By Paul Grant – a serial entrepreneur, a leading expert on personality diversity and co-author of Personalities Remixed.
In today’s increasingly personalised world, education is evolving from a one-size-fits-all model to a more adaptive and child-centred approach. Every child learns differently – not just because of their intellect or background, but because of their personality style. Understanding a child’s personality can transform the way we teach them, whether in a classroom filled with diversity or a one-to-one homeschool setting.
One of the most practical frameworks to support this is the E-Colours personality diversity framework. This article will help teachers and parents identify children’s personality styles using E-Colours and offer practical tools to tailor teaching strategies for each style – Doer, Thinker, Relator, and Socialiser.
Understanding E-Colours: A Simple Framework for Personality Styles
The E-Colours framework is a personality diversity indicator that combines four core personality styles, each represented by a colour:
- Red (Doer) – Action-oriented, decisive, likes results
- Green (Thinker) – Analytical, detail-oriented, values accuracy
- Blue (Relator) – Caring, empathetic, focuses on relationships
- Yellow (Socialiser) – Energetic, spontaneous, seeks fun and interaction
We have all four personality styles within us, just in different percentages, and often the top two styles tend to reflect the majority of how we see the world and naturally react. These primary and secondary E-Colours, leading to a unique combination – 12 in total. For example, a child might be a Red/Yellow (Socialising-Doer) or Blue/Green (Thinking-Relator). These combinations help predict communication styles, motivation, learning preferences, and how a child responds to different teaching methods based on their natural tendencies – strengths and potential limiters that they display.
Why E-Colours Matter in Education
When teachers and parents understand a child’s E-Colours, they can:
- Improve communication and engagement
- Reduce misunderstandings and behavioural issues such as bully
- Encourage strengths while supporting potential limiters
- Make learning more enjoyable and effective
How to Identify a Child’s E-Colours
With E-Colours, adults can begin to observe a child’s natural tendencies through day-to-day behaviour at whatever age.
Here are some clues that start to give some indications of tendencies, but for children 8 years-old or above we encourage people not to guess peoples E-Colours, and let them find out for themselves where possible by using the questionnaires:
Most children display a mix of tendencies, but you can usually spot their dominant and secondary styles through consistent patterns. Talk to them, observe them in group vs solo tasks, and watch how they respond to praise, feedback, and challenges.
Teaching Strategies for Each E-Colour Personality Style
Let’s break down how to tailor your teaching – whether in a diverse classroom or a personalised homeschool setup – based on each primary personality style.
1. The Red-Doer: Action-Oriented and Decisive
In the Classroom:
- Doers thrive when given leadership roles (line leader, team captain).
- They like clear goals and measurable progress.
- They may become bored with repetition or too much theory.
Homeschool Environment:
- Structure lessons as “missions” or “challenges.”
- Allow them to set goals and race against the clock.
- Let them “teach” you or a sibling a concept they’ve mastered.
Teaching Tips:
- Use reward-based motivation (stickers, points, timed challenges).
- Be direct and assertive – Doers respect confident guidance.
- Mix learning with movement – standing desks, hands-on experiments, etc.
Watch Out For:
- Impatience and frustration if things move slowly.
- May need support learning to listen to others and reflect.
2. The Green-Thinker: Analytical and Precise
In the Classroom:
- Give them time to process information – they may be quiet but deep thinkers.
- Offer clear instructions and logical sequencing.
- They enjoy structure, patterns, and research.
Homeschool Environment:
- Present detailed lesson plans or outlines.
- Let them explore topics deeply (science kits, documentaries, historical timelines).
- Encourage independent study projects.
Teaching Tips:
- Provide clear success criteria.
- Avoid rushing them – they appreciate time to get it “right.”
- Offer praise for effort and accuracy, not just speed.
Watch Out For:
- Perfectionism and overthinking.
- May need encouragement to take risks or speak up.
3. The Blue-Relator: Caring and Cooperative
In the Classroom:
- Relators work best in harmonious environments.
- They enjoy group work but not competition.
- They’re often the peacemakers and helpers.
Homeschool Environment:
- Make learning relational – use stories, emotional connections, or character studies.
- Involve them in caring roles (helping a sibling, tending a class plant).
- Create a calm and emotionally safe environment.
Teaching Tips:
- Be warm and patient – they value emotional connection.
- Praise kindness and collaboration.
- Link lessons to real-life human experiences (empathy, service, fairness).
Watch Out For:
- Avoidance of conflict or fear of letting others down.
- May need help asserting themselves or embracing challenge.
4. The Yellow-Socialiser: Enthusiastic and Expressive
In the Classroom:
- Socialisers thrive with interactive, fun learning.
- They love group activities, games, and storytelling.
- May struggle with focus or sitting still for long periods.
Homeschool Environment:
- Use creative, project-based learning (puppet shows, videos, role-play).
- Allow flexibility and frequent breaks.
- Make learning social – even if it’s via online peer groups or field trips.
Teaching Tips:
- Use humour, music, and visuals.
- Keep lessons varied and dynamic.
- Let them express what they’ve learned through drama, art, or presentation.
Watch Out For:
- Tendency to distract others or get off-topic.
- May need support with time management and organisation.
Integrating Multiple E-Colours in a Mixed Classroom
For teachers, classrooms are rarely made up of one personality style. Here’s how to blend strategies effectively:
Try using stations or flexible grouping, allowing kids to move through activities that align with their learning styles. For example:
- Station 1 (Red-Doer): Solve a challenge
- Station 2 (Green-Thinker): Quiet research & analysis
- Station 3 (Blue-Relator): Story discussion or empathy-based scenario
- Station 4 (Yellow-Socialiser): Skit or song to teach a concept
Also consider rotating group leaders by E-Colour so each personality style is empowered to shine.
Tools & Resources to Support Personality-Based Teaching
E-Colours Personality Questionnaires: Free online questionnaire for children and adults via Equilibria.
Learning Style Inventories: Supplement E-Colours with tools like VARK (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetics).
Flexible Lesson Templates: Create versions of the same content that cater to Red-Doers (task), Green-Thinkers (logic), Blue-Relators (empathy), and Yellow-Socialisers (creativity).
Visual Cues: Use colour-coded charts, name tags, or folders to remind children (and you) of their learning strengths.
Final Thoughts: Teaching the Whole Child
Tailoring education to a child’s E-Colours is not about labelling or boxing them in. It’s about seeing them more clearly and teaching them in a way that respects who they are while helping them grow. By aligning your teaching style with a child’s personality, you build trust, unlock motivation, and foster a love for learning.
Whether you’re guiding a bustling classroom or nurturing a child one-on-one at home, embracing personality diversity with practical tools like the E-Colours framework equips you to teach the whole child – not just their mind, but their heart and spirit too.
About the expert
Paul Grant is a serial entrepreneur, a leading expert on personality diversity and co-author of Personalities Remixed.
Disclaimer: Nothing in this article should be interpreted as coaching, financial, investment, or legal advice. These are the thoughts of the author.
