How To Create A Calm Down Corner for Toddlers
Learn all the benefits of a calm down corner for toddlers, and why it is so essential to have one in your home. Plus, you’ll get all the best tips for creating your own!
Do you have a safe space for your kids to go when they need to calm down?
Do you have a place that is filled with quiet, calming activities to help them learn to self-regulate their emotions?
I think it is crucial for everyone to have a calming corner in their house for their toddlers to go to whenever they need.
This can be a great place for them to calm down, have time-ins, and just learn more about their emotions.
Because it is essential to have a calm down corner in your home, here is your ultimate guide on creating the best calming corner for your toddler.
What Is A Calming Corner?
A calming corner can also be called a Calm Down Corner, Sensory Zone, peace corner, or Me Zone. And as the name implies, it is a place where children go to calm down.
It is a corner of a classroom or home where children can go to let out their emotions when they get overwhelmed.
Using a calming corner for children is just like when you as an adult want to have some quality time to yourself and shut off everything else. It is the same as when you desire to have some Me Time.
You may decide to take a drive around town, go into the pantry or sit quietly in your walk-in closet. Whichever one, it is clear why we do that; to calm down and take control of our emotions.
A calming corner is an important part of the classroom and the home. It is just as important as every other room in the house because it aids in great ways to make children feel their emotions and maintain a calm environment around the home or in class.
Calming Corners give the children that feeling of “I am having a me-time. This is my own zone.” And so they are comfortable letting out their emotions there.
Why Do Toddlers Need A Calming Corner?
When a child goes to a calming corner, it gives them time to breathe out their emotions and carefully study them to understand how they really feel.
Since it is a quiet zone, they get to focus solely on themselves and how they feel. This will result in the following:
- They will learn how to self-regulate and put their emotions in check. They are being indirectly trained on how to respond to situations.
- They learn to become aware of their emotions and to label it. They can identify if what they feel is anger or regret.
- They become more self-conscious of their emotions as they begin to understand themselves and identify the ones they are more prone to.
- They learn how to talk or communicate about their emotions because they have thought it through and seen why they should or shouldn’t feel that way.
- They learn to be self-reliant because calming corners aren’t for friends or family to huddle together. It is a safe space for a child and they learn to stay on their own and navigate through their emotions at all times.
- Calming Corners brings the child to a point where he or she masters how to focus and pay attention to what they have at hand.
A calming corner or calm-down zone isn’t a place of punishment like a time-out. It is a safe place for your toddlers to go to when they choose or need to have some quiet time to regulate.
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How To Create A Calming Corner For Toddlers
When creating a calm-down zone, it has to be centered on the child and his or her senses and needs.
Here are a few steps to keep in mind:
Step 1- Pick a Space
When you have decided to have a calming corner, the first step is to pick the perfect spot for it.
Let your child get involved in picking it up with you. It can be a far-end corner of the living room or classroom, an unoccupied room, or a vacant walk-in closet.
The place must be calm, noise-free, and void of distractions. It has to feel like their space.
Step 2-Make it Comfortable
Comfort is a great priority to consider when creating a calming corner. No one can calm down when they are not comfortable.
Make sure to pick an airy space and make it comfortable by putting up a couch or a padded chair. Let the sitting arrangement be as cozy as possible as it can help to induce calmness.
Step 3- Put Up the Right Posters
Pictures communicate very quickly to children. Use this to your advantage.
Use interesting pictures and posters to decorate the calming corner. Make use of posters that talk about their emotions and what they can do when they feel a certain way.
We have up this What Am I Feeling Wheel and it works wonders for us!
Step 4- Have a Basket of Games and Activities
This is called a calm down kit or box. Remember that the calming corner is child-centered, so bring in friendly games the kids can play while they try to calm down.
Self regulation activities are your best bet. Games like puzzles and building blocks can help your child to redirect their focus from emotions to something more productive.
Also, they can use feeling cards and drawing paper to express their feelings. I also like breathing and tracing cards.
Calming sensory activities are also very effective in your calm down area.
Step 5-Teach Your Kids How to Use the Corner
We must remember that they are new to this idea so we must patiently take time to show them the ropes. It is important to introduce the corner in a calm moment and not when they are already in a fit.
Also, you help them learn by using the corner yourself when you are overwhelmed as well. Kids reflect what they see you do.
Calm Down Corner Essentials
Now that you know about calm down corners, here are some essentials you might want to have:
1. Comfortable Seating
A cozy chair, floor cushions, or a soft rug creates a comfortable place for toddlers to sit and relax.
We like these couches so our kids can create a chair or fort they want each time!
2. Soft Lighting
Use a small lamp, string lights, or a nightlight to create a soothing atmosphere that isn’t too bright.
3. Sensory Items
Include items like stress balls, fidget toys, sensory bottles, or textured blankets to help toddlers calm down through touch and play.
4. Calm Down Tools
Add tools like a pinwheel for deep breathing exercises, bubbles for blowing (which can help regulate breathing), or a stuffed animal for comfort.
5. Books
Choose books that focus on emotions, mindfulness, or calming themes. Simple picture books about feelings can help toddlers understand and express their emotions.
6. Emotion Cards
Use emotion cards with pictures and words to help toddlers identify and articulate their feelings. These can serve as a visual aid to help them communicate what they’re experiencing.
7. A Timer
A visual timer can help toddlers understand how long they will stay in the calm down corner, giving them a sense of control and predictability.
8. Soothing Sounds
A small sound machine, white noise app, or playlist of calming music or nature sounds can create a peaceful environment.
9. Mirror
A small, shatterproof mirror can help toddlers recognize their facial expressions and connect with their emotions.
10. Calming Scents
Use a diffuser with kid-safe essential oils like lavender or chamomile, or offer a scented pillow or fabric square for a calming aroma.
We actually make a few roller bottles for our kids and let them use it to help with their emotions.
11. Mindfulness Activities
Include simple mindfulness activities, such as a jar filled with glitter and water that toddlers can shake and watch settle to practice patience and focus.
Final Thoughts
Calming Corners can save you the stress of dealing with tantrums and it is a great way to indirectly teach your child self-regulation skills.
You will notice that with time, they begin to handle their emotions better and learn not to act on them impulsively.
My kids love our calm down corner, I hope yours will too!
