Elementary students are often filled with overwhelming emotions, and they continue to navigate how to manage these feelings. This is precisely why a calm down corner is a crucial element of any classroom environment. Such a space doesn’t have to occupy a large area to significantly benefit your students. Dive into various calm down corner concepts regarding decor, activities, and sensory resources, and uncover the pivotal advantages that these areas provide for both students and the classroom atmosphere.
How to Create a Calm Down Corner
A calm down corner serves as a safe, dedicated area where a student can take a moment to pause, process their feelings, and practice self-regulation. It is important to clarify that this is not a form of punishment but rather a supportive resource designed to bolster classroom management for elementary students. To establish a calm down corner, begin by selecting an appropriate location.
- Opt for a quiet area, distanced from distracting elements like pencil sharpeners, entryways, or submission trays.
- Consider the lighting: Soft, soothing lights or light covers are most effective (fairy lights can work wonders).
- Ensure that the area remains vibrant enough for visibility while also being gentle enough to assist students in calming their feelings.
After selecting the ideal spot, the next step involves curating a thoughtful blend of decor, activities, and sensory tools that are fitting for your students and classroom design.
Calm Down Corner Decor Ideas
Accessorize the calm down corner with cozy, serene decor. Here are some items that contribute to comfort or calming techniques:
- Soft area rug
- Oversized cushions
- Bean bag chairs
- Small foam couches
- Tactile pillows (e.g., sequined pillows)
- Stuffed animals for comfort
- Posters and guides with pastel or earthy tones
Calm Down Corner Kit – Strategies, Posters, Social Story and Guides for Behavior
By NoodleNook
Grades: Not specified
This comprehensive bundle is equipped with everything needed to properly establish a calm down corner. It includes posters, various activities, strategies, and reflection tools, such as logical consequences guides and a take-home reflection sheet.
Calm Down Corner Sign and Printable SEL Posters for Special Education
By Adapted by Kimmie D
Grades: PreK-2nd
Enhance your space with posters and printables that focus on recognizing emotions, self-affirming phrases, and regulation techniques in calming blue hues. These calm down corner ideas visually guide children on expectations, as well as steps they can take to self-regulate.
Incorporate Calming Activities and Strategies for Children
In addition to a comfortable and serene decor, it’s crucial to incorporate soothing and quiet activities that help dilute strong emotions. What these activities look like can vary significantly based on the classroom dynamics. For PreK learners, visuals with minimal text or fidget tools can effectively distract and provide comfort. Older elementary students might benefit from activities that encourage journaling or reflective check-ins related to their emotional state.
Calm Down Corner Strategies for Classroom Management & Social Emotional Learning
By Just Reed
Grades: PreK-2nd
This extensive package includes calm down choice cards, yoga cards, tracing cards, emotion identification cards, and breathing techniques. It features a feelings check-in card along with a clickable list of SEL resources.
Self-Regulation Coping Skills for School Spinner Craft: Use in Calm Down Corner
By WholeHearted School Counseling
Grades: K-5th
This resource offers pre-made spinner activities and game templates aimed at teaching self-regulation to students. It also includes coloring line art and a breathing board for mindful practices.
Calm Down Corner Spanish and Bilingual
By Hola Bilinguals – Dayana
Grades: PreK-2nd
This multilingual resource for Spanish-speaking students includes posters, labels, sensory cards, 11 yoga poses, and 17 breathing exercises, alongside two pages dedicated to breathing techniques.
Calming Strategies Visual Cards and Poster for Calm Down Corner
By Amy Murray – Teaching Exceptional Kinders
Grades: K-2nd
This collection provides the necessary visual cards for a calming corner, introducing strategies such as bouncing on a ball, listening to calming music, and wall pushes to encourage calm thought processes.
Include Sensory Tools
Activities and strategies allow students to maximize their experiences in the calm down corner, but many might also seek tactile or auditory aids for effective regulation. In addition to calming colors, coloring books, and timers, consider integrating the following sensory items into your sensory-friendly classroom:
- Wobble seats
- Stress-relief balls
- Calming music playlists
- Playdough
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Fidget toys
- Balance disks
- Various fabric textures
- Breathing exercise apps
- Stretch bands
Tailor Necessities for Various Age Groups
Every classroom consists of a unique blend of personalities and requirements. When conceptualizing calm down corner ideas, aligning them with the respective grade level is vital.
Incorporate More Visuals and Structured Activities for Younger Learners
Younger students are at an early stage in developing their literacy skills. Therefore, a calm down corner for them should prioritize strong visuals and straightforward activities. Use image-based guides for breathing exercises or emotion identification charts featuring emojis that help them articulate feelings ranging from anger to sadness. Plush toys or small blankets can offer additional comfort, while activities like bubble breathing or tracing shapes with fingers keep them engaged without overwhelming them.
Support Upper Elementary Learners with Hands-On Tools and Choices
By third and fourth grades, students’ needs evolve, requiring a different approach to calming techniques. In addition to visuals, having check-in charts that blend words with images becomes important. Calm down corner ideas for this demographic include sentence starters for positive affirmations and short reflection forms with guiding questions. Encouraging autonomy through choice cards, like “take a short walk” or “practice a stretch,” is also beneficial. At this stage, fidget tools like stretchy putty or other tactile options can be highly effective for emotional regulation.
Equip Older Students with Sustainable Tools
For older students, the calm down corner serves as a sophisticated self-regulation hub, integrating mature resources designed for reflection and emotional control. This space should include notebooks and writing tools for journaling, alongside positive affirmation cards which students can customize. Replace simple visual aids with QR codes that connect to meditation apps or mindfulness techniques, while including clear, explanatory calming posters. Offering choice cards to guide students in regulating themselves through activities such as journaling or listening to calming music will significantly enhance their management strategies.
Educate Students on Proper Usage of the Calm Down Corner
Though calm down corner decor and signage help set the stage, they don’t suffice by themselves. Students require comprehensive instructions on effectively utilizing the area. Make it clear that the calm down corner is not a means to penalize but a strategy for emotional management.
- Establish Clear Guidelines: At the beginning of the school year, outline the rules governing the corner’s use.
- Engage in Role-Playing: Simulate scenarios illustrating self-regulation, demonstrating what it means to effectively use the corner.
- Reinforce it as a Learning Resource: Communicate that the calm down corner serves as an educational tool, akin to pens or paper.
- Set Time Constraints: Implement timers to maintain focus on emotional regulation rather than distraction.
- Follow-Up Discussions: After a child has spent time in the corner, engage them in discussions about their experience—what strategies were helpful and what did they learn?
Acknowledge the Benefits for Classroom Management and SEL
Research has shown that students capable of managing their emotions are more poised to engage in quality learning. A calm down corner fosters this development and offers numerous social and emotional learning advantages.
- Promotes Mindfulness: Techniques learned within the corner can be utilized in various settings, both academic and personal.
- Minimizes Disruptions: Children can retreat to regroup and return with renewed focus.
- Encourages Independence: Tools and activities empower students to manage their emotions without reliance on adult intervention.
- Facilitates Emotional Development: Students gain insight into disruptive feelings while exploring healthy management methods.
- Cultivates a Safe Environment: Validating emotions enables students to navigate and process feelings within a supportive space.
- Normalizes Challenging Emotions: The corner reinforces that everyone endures difficult feelings, creating an atmosphere where it is okay to express emotional struggles.
Design a Calming Space Using TPT Resources
Establishing a calm down corner extends beyond merely designate an area in your classroom—it involves crafting a sanctuary where students can learn to regulate their emotions and decompress. Consider this essential space when organizing your classroom layout. Explore calm down corner resources available on TPT to provide your students with a haven for emotional wellness and growth.
Jennifer Betts, B.A.
Jennifer Betts holds a BA in graphic design and is licensed to teach upper elementary and grades 6-12 in ELA. With six years of experience teaching math and ELA across various grade levels, along with over 17 years dedicated to educational writing, Jennifer aims to enrich students’ success through engaging storytelling and actionable advice. Outside the classroom, she indulges in writing fiction and roller skating.
