Big emotions can be tough to manage, especially for young people who are still learning how to deal with them. When everything feels too loud, too fast, or overwhelming, they need a moment and a space to pause. Creating that space doesn’t mean ignoring emotions — it means offering a calm environment where feelings can be understood and managed with care.
The Calm Down Corner handout offers a simple guide for setting up a space that supports emotional regulation. It covers four key areas: tips for choosing the right spot, calming tools to include, how to use the space intentionally, and making it feel safe and personal.
Through this process, kids and teens learn that taking a break doesn’t mean giving up — it means taking healthy steps to manage their feelings. One helpful idea is to add something personal to their space, such as a favorite drawing, family photo, or soft object, so it feels uniquely theirs.
To make this tool even more effective, adults can introduce a visual “calm card” that kids can use when they need a break.
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References:
- Brasfield, M., Elswick, S., Raines, S., Peterson, C., & Mboge, S. (2024). Classroom calming corners: Peaceful spaces for times of transition. International Journal of the Whole Child, 9(2), 93–111.
- Budiman, M. E., Yuhbaba, Z. N., & Cahyono, H. D. (2023). Calming corner therapy in an effort to increase mental resilience in adolescents. Blambangan Journal of Community Services (BJCS), 1(1), 8-16. https://doi.org/10.61666/bjcs.v1i1.2
- Gao, J., Chen, A., Yi, Z., Yan, X., Liu, J., Zhou, G., & Gong, J. (2024). Not a playroom, but a passage: Exploring the design space of a technology-mediated calm-down corner. Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1145/3613905.3650832
- Petka, K. (2024). Integration of art tools in calming corners in various content areas at the secondary level (Unpublished thesis). Kennesaw State University.
- Xiong, N. A. (2023). A calming corners guide: Self-regulating strategies for home and school (Unpublished thesis). California State University, Sacramento.
