![5 Easy Calm-Down Corner Ideas](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/aw_blog/EI-Blog-Images/2021/0802_CalmCorner_Header_1.jpg)
5 Easy Calm-Down Corner Ideas
- EI Editor Posted On Aug 4, 2021
Little ones are just learning to regulate their emotions and responses. Spending a few moments in a quiet place before big feelings become overwhelming can do wonders to help kids process their emotions and build the emotional intelligence to begin to self-regulate.
Enter the calming corner, also called a calm-down corner, a super-effective, easily created, a quiet place perfect for regrouping, self-soothing, and reflecting. Check out these five tips from the Experts in Play at Educational Insights to help you create and use a simple but effective calming corner in the classroom.
1. Know When to Use the Calm Down Corner
Different from a time out, the calming corner is used as a preventative measure, a place where kids can go BEFORE things get out of hand. Look for signs of overstimulation, escalating stress, or heightened emotions and suggest that your student or child spend a few quiet minutes calming themselves. Ideally, kids will eventually begin to recognize these feelings brewing and send themselves to the calming corner.
![boy and girl in calm down corner](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/CalmingCorner_Lifestyle01_1.jpg)
![boy and girl in calm down corner](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/CalmingCorner_Lifestyle01_1.jpg)
2. Cozy is Key
The calming corner should feel like a reward for the recognition and management of big feelings, so make it comfy and cozy! Find a quiet, semi-private place, add a soft rug, beanbag chair, squishy pillows, stuffed animals, and blankets.
![laughing playing with blue dinosaur toy](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/CalmingCorner_Lifestyle02.jpg)
![laughing playing with blue dinosaur toy](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/CalmingCorner_Lifestyle02.jpg)
3. Stock It Up
The idea here is not to sit in quiet reflection (unless that’s what the child wants to do) but rather to redirect overwhelming feelings. Sensory-stimulating activities like a homemade glitter jar, bean bags, and fidget toys work well, as does squishy, squashy Playfoam®. Simple, quiet toys and books also make a nice addition, like Mixaroo, mix-and-match stuffed animal pieces perfect for self-expression and creativity.
![boy playing with slime toy in calm down corner](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/CalmingCorner_Lifestyle03.jpg)
![boy playing with slime toy in calm down corner](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/CalmingCorner_Lifestyle03.jpg)
4. Headphones
Speaking of quiet, your calm-down corner should be calm and quiet, but it doesn’t need to be silent. Consider providing headphones so kids can listen to soft music of your choosing, child-friendly meditations, or white noise as they regroup.
![girl with blue headphones on in calm down corner](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/CalmingCorner_Lifestyle04.jpg)
![girl with blue headphones on in calm down corner](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/CalmingCorner_Lifestyle04.jpg)
5. Decorate
While your calming corner should not be overwhelming or overstimulating, scenic, motivational, or social-emotional posters (you know, the ones that show different feelings and name them) can add to the ambiance of your space and provide kids some tools for the future.
![](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/Motivational.jpg)
![](https://mcstaging.educationalinsights.com/media/EI-Blog-Images/2021/Motivational.jpg)
Creating a calm-down corner in the classroom or at home is a great way to help kids learn to identify and manage their feelings so they can have a sense of calm in their bodies and mind. And teachers, find other tips and tricks for creating a calm, cool, collected classroom on our blog!