Do you need new ideas for your classroom’s relaxation zone this school year?
With 87 percent of American schools stating that their pupils are struggling with social and emotional development as a result of the pandemic, it is more important than ever to provide safe areas for our students to cool down and relax when they are dealing with complex emotions.
So, how do you set up a quiet-down space in the classroom? What do you place in this relaxing zone? And what exactly is a “calming corner”?
What is a Calm Down Corner?
Before the blog offers the best ideas, let’s establish what we’re talking about. A calming corner in the classroom is a dedicated area where students can control their emotions, learn self-regulation, and find peace when feeling overwhelmed or agitated.
The purpose of these locations is to provide students with a haven in which to decompress and recollect themselves. It also offers opportunities to diffuse a negative emotion or situation before it worsens. Providing this space for your students is an excellent way to help them improve their coping skills!
If this sounds familiar but you haven’t heard the name, it’s possible that calm down corners are referred to differently in your school district. These corners may be referred to as:
- Regulation Zones
- Chill-out areas or corners
- Peace Corners
- Quiet corners
- Regulation stations
- Vacation Stations
This post will show you 5 effective ways to implement your calm corner!
1. Consider the location
The first step in creating a calm corner in your classroom is to select a suitable location. Some factors to consider:
- Does the space have enough room for the materials and furniture you intend to use? It is up to you to decide how much you want to include in the space. Some teachers choose to have furniture and large sensory things, while others set up a few posters on the wall and a basket of sensory tools. Consider what works best for you and your students.
- Is it easily accessible to students? Students should be able to readily relocate to the space without being a huge distraction to the rest of the class.
- Is it slightly removed from common learning areas? It is most effective if the space has some distance between areas where students spend the most time learning so that it is not a distraction for other students and that the students utilizing it feel like they have some privacy.
2. Select Meaningful & Appropriate Resources and Tools
There are various things to consider when picking the resources and equipment you want to include in your tranquil space. Remember – the objective of the place is to help pupils control reactions to overwhelming emotions.
Before selecting something for the room, ask yourself, “How could this help a student to calm their mind or body?” Here are some more questions to consider:
- Are the accompanying materials easy to clean up? This helps reduce time spent in the calm corner away from instruction.
- Are the included materials safe and acceptable for students when experiencing emotional distress?
- Do the objects activate 2 or more of the senses? Sensory instruments are an excellent approach to help children relax and concentrate their minds and bodies.
- Are the materials quiet? Keep in mind that other students will still be attempting to study.
- Is there a clear visual reminder of tactics for students to use?
3. Provide Fidgets and Other Sensory Items
To help students maximize their time calming down in your quiet area, provide a few concrete objects that aid emotional regulation. This can include stress balls, fidget toys (such as the Pop It used by the student above), sensory bottles, and breathing exercises.
Some children may require an outlet to release their furious emotions. Keep some scrap paper on hand for them to scrunch or rip, as well as a small tub of playdough for them to crush and roll.
4. Model and Practice
Model how to do/use each new tactic or object as you add it. After you’ve demonstrated, offer students lots of practice time with support before allowing them to do/use it on their own in a peaceful area.
We can teach our children numerous excellent grounding and breathing exercises, but they will require practice to perform them well. Teach kids what to do and what not to do with each sensory item. Ensure students realize that these things are not toys to play with but aid for refocusing and calming down.
5. Set Clear Expectations
Setting clear expectations about using the tranquil corner will be critical to its effectiveness. Students flourish under clear expectations.
- Establish explicit rules and expectations for the tranquil corner. Display these throughout the region. You might even involve students in this process!
- Outline any potential consequences for misusing the tranquil corner.
- Decide whether you want a time limit in the calm corner. With some classes, you may impose a time restriction (usually 5-10 minutes) and employ timers for all students. Learn what works best in your class. Ensure students realize they are still responsible for any work missed while using the tranquil corner.
In the end!
Time spent in a quiet spot is not a substitute for teacher check-ins. If a student is experiencing strong emotions that are interfering with learning, they require your assistance. When a student uses the soothing nook, try to find time to check in with him or her quickly afterward.
Creating secure, tranquil school environments and promoting social-emotional well-being requires thinking and work. Creating a classroom calm area is one little step toward fostering this type of climate in your school.
