From toddler tantrums to older children that lose their cool, every child needs time to take a break and calm down. Moments of anger, frustration, and sadness aren't isolated to childhood and we want our children to learn methods of self-control throughout their lives. Until the anger has subsided, a child can't really learn the lessons we want to teach about why their behavior is unacceptable and what they should do instead. Be sure to download the Free Printable Coloring Pages here!
A calm down corner for kids is a perfect spot where a child can go and snuggle a soft friend, color or write out their feelings, read or look at books, engage with stress toys, take deep breaths and just relax until they are ready to talk about what is making them frustrated, angry or sad. It's easy to create this calming little space in your home where kids can regain their composure and relax until they're ready to talk.
To create the space, hang up a canopy in a quiet place in your home. Hang the canopy from the ceiling and arrange several soft floor pillows and reading pillows inside the canopy.
Place wood crates around the canopy and place items inside the crates that will help children calm themselves. This set of I Have Feelings books are perfect for kids to develop positive behavior through reading and discussing emotions and social interaction.
There are several different topics that kids can read about to help them to learn how they're feeling. From anger to worry, each topic will help kids recognize and understand their feelings and make it easier to convey their thoughts.
Fill a wood crate with everything from fidget toys to squishies. These toys will keep the child busy and engaged and will help with their focus of calming down. Our favorite squishy toys are a pineapple, cupcake and rainbow!
These mini glitter water tubes are a great way to relieve stress and engage your child for a while. They can squeeze them and watch the tube squiggle out of their hands as well as watch the glitter float from one end to the other. There's no wrong way to play with these water tubes and kids love them!
Fidget Blocks are great for focus and alleviating anxiety. They're tactile and perfect stress relievers for kids that love to use their hands. Check out the huge line of fidget toys and choose the ones that would work best for you.
Slow rise and squishy toys are always a huge hit with kids. Offer a variety of squishies in the crate for the kids to choose from and watch your child relax as they play with these cute characters.
When kids are having a hard time conveying their feelings, these emotion stones can help with the frustration of not being able to communicate their moods. Kids can match up the angry faces to the angry faces, sad faces to the sad faces, etc. The stones are tactile and safe for small hands to explore.
Journaling improves focus, mental clarity and problem solving. Whether the child is writing down their feelings or drawing them out, these draw and write journals are perfect for big or little kids in helping them convey their feelings onto paper.
The child will love having a little privacy and their own quiet space by simply closing the canopy around them. This is such a cozy, safe space that the child will be able to collect their thoughts and take a little time out for themselves.
My amazing and talented cousin Jodi from The School Counselor Is In created these beautiful coloring pages. Coloring generates wellness, quietness and also stimulates brain areas related to motor skills, the senses and creativity. These coloring pages would fit perfectly in your calm down corner; just add a box of markers or crayons and you're all set! Be sure to download the Free Printable Coloring Pages here!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on creating a calm down corner, it has been a lifesaver in our home and I hope it will be in yours too!
