Explaining the effectiveness of the components of educational spaces on the behavior pattern of elementary school boys (case study: Shiraz metropolis)

Educational spaces play a crucial role in shaping students' personalities, behaviors, and social interactions. A well-designed learning environment not only influences the learning process but also affects behavioral patterns, emotional regulation, and cognitive development in children. This impact is particularly significant in elementary school years when children are directly influenced by their surroundings. The architecture and design of educational spaces can either reinforce or modify students’ behaviors. This study aims to examine the extent to which educational space design components influence the behavioral patterns of male elementary students in Shiraz Metropolis. The research employs a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative) using a descriptive-analytical methodology. The statistical population includes teachers and parents of students from four selected schools (Fasayei-Nejad, Sozandeh-Far, Mohammad-Janab, and Dr. Hesabi). In the quantitative phase, 384 parents and 91 teachers were randomly selected using Cochran’s formula, and a questionnaire was distributed among them. In the qualitative phase, expert insights were gathered from interdisciplinary professionals in architecture, psychology, and educational sciences. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using Cronbach’s alpha in SPSS software, ANOVA, LSD post hoc test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. The main research question explores how educational space design influences the behavioral patterns of male elementary students. The findings, based on eight behavioral components (motor skills, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, passivity and inactivity, learning, problem-solving in school, social skills, emotional issues, and obsessive thoughts or behaviors), indicate that hyperactivity and impulsivity (0.674), passivity and inactivity (0.671), and motor skills (0.612) are the most affected by educational space design characteristics. Additionally, schools such as Dr. Hesabi and Mohammad-Janab, with distinct spatial layouts—including courtyard design, separation of individual and social spaces, flexible classroom arrangements, optimized lighting, and ergonomic furniture—demonstrated the highest impact on students’ behavioral components and overall well-being.