How to Use A “Safe Space” or “Calm Down Corner” at Home or in the Classroom
As preschool-age children are still developing their emotional regulation skills, they often need help in managing their feelings and calming down when they feel upset or overwhelmed. One helpful strategy for achieving this is to create a "calm down corner" in your home or classroom. We will walk you through exactly how to implement this strategy in your home or classroom below!
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The first step in creating a calm down corner is to find a space in your home or classroom that can be used as a designated area for calming down. This should be a quiet, low-stimulation area where the child can feel safe and comfortable. It's very important to make sure the space is easily accessible and visible, but not too close to any high-traffic areas or sources of noise. We actually do not usually use the phrase “calm down corner” so as to avoid any negative associations. We will sometimes let the students help up choose a name for the corner or will call it the “safe space.”
This is a super simple Safe Place corner in one of our classrooms! The “I Am Feeling” poster is from Natalie Lynn Kindergarten. You can find it here. The calm down choices poster and yoga pose cards are from Pocket of Preschool and you can find them here!
Set up the Calm Down Corner
Once you've identified the space, it's time to set it up. We’ve gathered some items you might include in a calm down corner or safe space. Keep reading to see them all!
1: Soft and comfortable seating
This bean bag chair is a great option, and it isn’t actually filled with messy stuffing!
This smaller bean bag could be a great option.
These flower floor pillows are fun!
This round floor pillow is also a great choice.
2: Calming decorations
This emotions poster would be a great addition.
We also like these feelings charts.
These posters are made specifically for a calm corner!
3: Sensory items
This is a small weighted blanket that would work well!
These breathing boards are awesome.
This weighted dinosaur is super snuggly.
These emotion sensory bottles would be a great addition to any calm down corner.
4: A few quiet activities
These wooden knob puzzles are great for young children.
This Melissa and Doug puzzle set would work great, as well.
This big picture coloring book is a lot of fun for young children.
The key is to create a calming atmosphere that will help the child feel relaxed and at ease.
How to Use the Calm Down Corner
Once the calm down corner is set up, it's important to teach the child how to use it effectively in a way to teach emotional regulation. Encourage the child to use the calm down corner whenever they feel overwhelmed, upset, or stressed. You can model this behavior by taking a break in the calm down corner or safe space when you feel upset or overwhelmed.
When teaching the child to use the calm down corner, you can teach them the following steps:
Recognize when you need to calm down. Say something like “It looks like something is tricky here. Maybe you’re feeling upset or angry?”
Go to the calm down corner or safe space. You can go with them if they’d like you to, especially the first few times.
Choose a calming activity, such as deep breathing or using a sensory item. Having a picture menu of available items might help them choose.
Use the calming activity for a few minutes until you feel better. Set a time for a few minutes if you need to.
Return to the activity or situation you were in before, feeling calmer and more in control. Praise the child for recognizing their emotions and reacting appropriately!
Reinforce Positive Behavior
It is so important to reinforce positive behavior when the child successfully uses the calm down corner or safe space to regulate their emotions. Praise the child for recognizing their feelings and taking steps to manage them in a positive way. You might also offer a small reward, such as a sticker or extra playtime, as an incentive for using the calm down corner effectively.
A safe space or calm down corner can be a valuable tool for helping preschool-age children manage their emotions and develop healthy coping strategies, both in the home and in the classroom setting. By creating a comfortable and calming space, teaching the child to use the corner effectively, and reinforcing positive behavior, you can support the child's emotional growth and help them feel more in control of their feelings.