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Key Takeaways:
- A calming corner is a quiet, cozy space where kids can go to feel better when they’re upset, sad, or angry. Here, they learn to calm down and handle big emotions.
- To create the space, pick a quiet spot, add pillows, and include tools like a feelings chart or a fidget toy.
- To make the calming corner work, use it during calm times, praise your child for using it, and check in to update it as they grow.
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Kids often experience big emotions like anger, anxiety, or sadness, and sometimes, those feelings can feel too overwhelming to handle. That’s why having a calming corner can be so helpful. A calming corner is a quiet space where children can go to pause, cool down, and learn how to manage their emotions.
Creating a calming corner is an easy and effective way for adults to support kids. Here, you’ll learn what makes a calming corner effective, how to set one up at home or in the classroom, and which tools or items to include.
What is a Calming Corner?
A calming corner is a safe, quiet space designed to give children a chance to take a break when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Unlike time-outs, which are used as consequences for misbehavior, calming corners are supportive spaces [*].
Toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age kids can all benefit from using a calming corner. Younger children may rely on more support at first, while older kids can start using the calming corner on their own.
Why Calming Corner Works
Whether in a home, daycare, or classroom setting, calming corners enable kids to care for their feelings. Here’s how they work to support your child’s emotions:
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Promotes emotional regulation - Research highlights the long-term benefits of emotional-regulation, such as fewer behavior problems and greater emotional resilience [*].
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Helps reduce meltdowns and tantrums - Calming corners can prevent full-blown meltdowns, which are caused by overwhelming emotions like frustration, anxiety, or sensory overload.
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Supports mental health and mindfulness - Spending time in a calming corner encourages kids to slow down and become more aware of their thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness-based practices have been shown to increase prosocial behavior and a child’s ability to concentrate [*].
How to Set Up and Use a Calming Corner at Home or in the Classroom
Creating a calming corner doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does take some thoughtful planning, communication with the child, and flexibility. Here are tips to help you build a calming corner that meets a child’s needs:
1. Work with your child to create a space that suits their needs
Involving your child in setting up the calming corner helps them feel a sense of ownership and makes them more likely to use it. The space will become more “special” when you allow them to choose the spot and pick out things like pillows, stuffed animals, or calming colors.
This collaboration lets them know that the space is for them, not something created for them without their input.
2. Choose a quiet, low-traffic area
Good spots might be a cozy corner of the bedroom, a quiet part of the classroom, or even a small tent or reading nook. Children need to feel safe and unjudged when calming down. This makes private spaces a great option for allowing them to work through their feelings at their own pace.
3. Gather your calming corner tools and materials
Once you’ve chosen the space, it’s time to gather items. You can begin with comfortable seating, like a soft mat, pillows, a bean bag, or a cozy blanket. To help kids release tension, add sensory items such as stress balls, fidget toys, or a textured cushion.
Include calm down corner printables like like a feelings chart, calming strategy posters, or a simple step-by-step guide to help your child know what to do as they enter the space. You can also add a visual reminder that all feelings are welcome.
4. Explain when and how to use the calming corner
Once you’ve set up the calming corner, talk to your child about when and how to use it. Let them know that this space is for calming down whenever they feel big emotions.
Say something like, “If you’re feeling upset or need a break, you can go to the calming corner to help yourself feel better.” Make sure they understand that it’s not a punishment.
5. Show how to use the calming corner
Since children learn best by watching what we do, it helps to show them how to use the calming corner. If you’re feeling upset or overwhelmed, try saying, “I need a moment to calm down. I’m going to the calming corner.”
You can also sit with them in the space if they need guidance, especially during the first few times they use it or if they ask for help. Look at the feelings chart together, talk about the tools, and practice calming activities like deep breathing or stretching.
6. Observe and adapt
After your child starts using the calming corner, watch how they use it. Notice which tools help them the most and which ones they don’t use.
Every child is different — some may like squeezing a stress ball, while others may prefer deep breathing or looking at a calming poster. If something doesn’t seem to help, it’s okay to change it.
Tip: You can add new items or take some out to make the space work better for your child.
Tips for Making a Calming Corner Effective Long-Term
To help your calming corner stay useful over time, it’s important to keep it positive, welcoming, and part of their regular routine.
Here are some useful tips to make sure the calming corner continues to work well as your child grows:
Introduce it when the child is calm
Introducing the calming corner during peaceful moments is much more effective than trying to explain it when your child’s emotions are running high. During these relaxed times, you can walk through the space together, let them explore the sensory items, and even practice some calming techniques.
Let kids personalize it
Give your child a chance to help decorate or choose a few items for the space. Take them to pick out a special blanket, pillow, or stuffed animal just for this space. Have them draw or paint pictures that make them feel calm, or help them choose photos of happy memories to display.
If they're into dinosaurs, ocean creatures, or space, incorporate those interests.
Praise your child for using it proactively
Give your child positive feedback when your child uses the calming corner on their own. Encouraging words like “You took such good care of yourself when you felt upset” help them feel good about making a positive choice.
Check in regularly
Every now and then, talk with your child about how the calming corner is working for them. This is because, as children grow, their needs and preferences may change too.
For example, a young child might enjoy using stuffed animals and picture books to calm down, while an older child might prefer calming music, a journal, or a breathing exercise handout.
Avoid using it as punishment
It’s important that the calming corner is never used as a punishment. If children feel like they’re being sent there for doing something wrong, they may start to see the space as negative and stop wanting to use it at all.
The Bottom Line
Parents, teachers, and caregivers can introduce calming corners to show children that their feelings are valid and that it’s okay to take time to feel better. Don’t be afraid to start small — even a simple space with a few calming tools can already make a difference.
Check out our full collection of mental health worksheets filled with therapeutic, child-friendly tools to help kids practice self-awareness and emotional regulation.
FAQs About Calming Corner
At what age can a child start using a calming corner?
Children as young as 2 to 3 years old can start using a calming corner, especially with
guidance from an adult. At this age, they may not fully understand their emotions yet, but they can begin to learn that it’s okay to take a break when they feel overwhelmed.
Can calming corners work for neurodivergent kids?
Yes. Calming corners can be especially helpful for neurodivergent children, including those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or sensory differences. These children may feel overwhelmed more often or in different ways, so the calming corner might need to be set up a little differently.
For example, a child who is sensitive to sound may prefer headphones or a quiet space, while a child with ADHD will likely need movement or fidget toys.
What if my child refuses to use it?
Don't force it. If a child resists using the space, it can mean that something about the setup or experience needs adjusting. Here are a few common reasons for resistance: the calming corner feels too public or noisy, the materials may not match the child’s interests, or the space was introduced during a meltdown and now feels like a punishment.
References:
- Steps for Effective Time-Outs. (2024, August 8). Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers. https://www.cdc.gov/parenting-toddlers/time-out/steps.html
- Artuch-Garde, R., González-Torres, C., Vera, M. M., Fernández-Cabezas, M., & López-García, M. (2017). Relationship between Resilience and Self-regulation: A Study of Spanish Youth at Risk of Social Exclusion. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 612. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00612
- Phan, M. L., Renshaw, T. L., Caramanico, J., Greeson, J. M., MacKenzie, E., Atkinson-Diaz, Z., Doppelt, N., Tai, H., Mandell, D. S., & Nuske, H. J. (2022). Mindfulness-based school interventions: A systematic review of outcome evidence quality by study design. Mindfulness, 13(7), 1591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01885-9
