Creating a Calm Down Corner in Your Preschool Classroom
Young children are just learning how to process their emotions and how to interact with others. A Calm Down Corner in your classroom can help them have a place to go when they feel they need to manage their emotions whenever they feel overwhelmed. The Calm Down Corner fosters a peaceful classroom environment and provides tools to help young children with strong emotions.
Why Use a Calm Down Corner?
Young children are still learning how to manage their emotions. They may not yet understand how to handle conflicts with others, frustrations, and feeling overstimulated. The calm down corner gives them a place to go where they can get away from the frustrations and distractions in the classroom, and use tools like books and posters to help them learn how to calm down.
How to Create a Calm Down Corner
- Choose a Quiet Area: Choose an area in the classroom that is away from high-traffic and louder areas of the room. It should be cozy and inviting.
- Comfortable Seating: Choose soft and comfortable seating to make the area look cozy, such as cushions or bean bag chairs.
- Visuals: Include posters and books that teach children about emotions and about how to calm your emotions. Use calming colors in the area. Here is a set of Emotion Picture-Word Cards that you can print and add to the area. Here is a list of Emotion Books that you can include in this area.
- Calming Tools and Activities: Add tools that can help children calm down, such as glitter and water sensory bottles, stuffed animals, and fidget toys.
- Simple Rules and Guidelines: Clearly explain the purpose of the Calm Down Corner to your students. Teach them how and when to use it, emphasizing that it is not a punishment but a place to help them feel better.
Teaching Children to Use the Calm Down Corner
- Introduce the Area: Introduce the Calm Down Corner during a large group meeting. Show children where the area is located, what it is, and how to use each item. Discuss different scenarios when a child might want to use the area.
- Model the Behavior: Demonstrate how to use the Calm Down Corner by modeling it yourself or using a puppet or toy. Show how to take deep breaths, use a fidget toy, look at the Calm Down Cards or Poster, or read the “I Can Calm Down” book.
- Provide Gentle Reminders: When a child becomes overwhelmed, suggest that they can use the Calm Down Corner if they choose.
- Celebrate Success: Give positive reinforcement when children successfully use the Calm Down Corner and manage their emotions.
By providing a Calm Down Corner in your classroom, children can independently manage their emotions and learn lifelong skills in self-regulation. It can lead to a more peaceful and supportive learning space for your little learners!
Free Calm Down Corner Printables
This set of printable cards that show different calm down strategies. These cards can be hooked together on a ring, or used in a pocket chart. You can also glue the pictures onto a sheet of colorful poster board to make a sign for the calm down corner.
Printable Calming Strategies Cards
Download: Calm Down Cards (Full Color)
Download: Calm Down Cards (Black and White)
Printable Calm Down Book
This printable book that can be used to read to the class during circle time. You can also add the book to the calm down corner. The book tells children about strategies they can use to help them calm down.
Download: “I Can Calm Down” Book (Full Color)
Download: “I Can Calm Down” Book (Black and White)
Printable Emotions Cards
This set of printable emotion cards can be hooked together on a ring, or used in a pocket chart or on a poster. Get them here: Emotion Picture Word Cards