A chart that showcases images of feelings and positive choices.A visual distraction (photo album, sensory bottle, etc).Comfortable seating, a bean bag, cushion, etc.Use a rug, furniture, etc to create a special space. Children need visual boundaries so make sure they know exactly where it is located. What should it include?įirst, it needs to be a defined space. Often time out corners and punishments cause further feelings of anger or fear and do not create a coping skill for overcoming the raised emotion. Just imagine how different your classroom environment would be if all students learned coping skills and were able to self regulate their anger, embarrassment and fear. It's an opportunity to validate their feelings and allow them to step away, think about it and make a positive choice. What it is not.Ī calm down corner is not a place for time out or punishment. This makes this learning opportunity even more important. Children cannot articulate what they need because often they do not know. I know when I am stressed, I want to sit in a quiet room and just breath. As an adult, you know what space does this for you. It is an opportunity for them to step away from whatever is causing them anxiety and center themselves. ![]() Your calm down corner should have limited distractions and be free from high traffic and stress. We can't expect children to know what to do if we don't take time to explain and model any procedure. Just as adults, when we know better, we do better. In order for children to use this space effectively, they have to be first taught. So many children live in a fight or flight response that they aren't able to activate the part of the brain that helps them to be calm.īecause I was always limited on classroom space, I chose my classroom library as my Safe Place because it was a very calm and relaxing environment. This is a skill (like everything else) that they need to learn. It allows for an opportunity for children to self regulate and calm themselves when they would otherwise have a melt down or outburst. What is it?Ī calm down corner is a safe place meant to help children recognize how they feel, say how they feel and then choose a positive choice. ![]() They often act out in inappropriate ways through physical and emotional outbursts because they lack knowledge and coping skills. Children experience the same emotions that adults do but they do not have the words to express how they feel. Creating a Calm Down Corner or Safe Place in your classroom is part of the process when teaching children how to cope with their emotions.
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