Lessons

How To Create A Calm Down Corner

Children don’t misbehave because they want to. They misbehave because they don’t possess the necessary skills required to manage and control their behaviors when they’re in distress. A calm down corner is a comfortable space for children to sit, calm down their bodies, take a time-in and process their big feelings.

Materials

Bean bag chair
Soft mat or rug
Medium storage container

Tools

Small activities and fidgets -scented markers, breathing ball, therapy putty, stress ball, squishy toys, puzzles, coloring pages, books, and/or a kaleidoscope.
Timer

Instructions

Choose Your Space - The first step to creating a calm down corner is choosing the right spot. If you can, involve your child in picking the perfect calm down spot. It doesn't technically need to be a corner, but I prefer using a corner. The space you use should be somewhere in the general living area of your home. Your calm down corner will not be used for time-out or punishment, so it shouldn't isolate your child.

Make it Comfortable - When your child takes a time-in in their calm down corner, they need to be able to get comfortable. Use a soft mat or interlinking foam flooring, and seating such as a bean bag chair so your child has a comfortable spot to sit or lay.

Set up a Calm Down Kit - A calm down kit is a container containing small activities and fidgets that your child can use in the corner to help them self-regulate. Depending on the age of your child, some pre-teaching might be required on how to use the tools/fidgets appropriately.

Set up a plan - A non-verbal sign or signal might be helpful to cue your child to access their calming spot. When a child is escalated they may have difficulty communicating their needs; they aren't always able to follow multi-step directions or carry on with a conversation. Setting up a plan with your child when he/she is calm helps with establishing the expectation for when they are struggling to manage their big emotions. Talking about the use of the timer and setting up a plan for how much time will be set is also helpful if done proactively. Each child is unique in terms of the amount of time they might need to fully calm down. It's not uncommon for elementary-aged students to need as much as 40 minutes to fully de-escalate and get back into their "thinking brain."

If you'd like support with setting up a calming spot for your child, please let me know! katharine.knoeppel@camas.wednet.edu

https://hes-extraordinary.com/calm-down-corner

Going On A Safari

Going on a Safari is another creative mindfulness activity that helps redirect the focus away from stress and anxiety.

Physical activity is a wonderful way to infuse positive energy back into the body. This is a great activity to do at any time, but especially when your child needs a break during the day.

You can go outside on an exciting adventure on your next walk. As you walk put all of your senses to work by paying close attention to your environment. Notice the feel of the air on your skin, notice the sound of the ground as you walk and pay attention to all of the little movements and sensations.

As you walk, you can also try picking up a small rock or touching a plant or flower. Notice the bugs or the birds. Take a moment to kneel down and touch the earth. Walk mindfully paying close attention to everything. Make sure you walk in silence because you want to notice all those little details.

Walking is a wonderful stress-relieving activity because it helps clear the mind and sparks creative ideas. Try going on a safari the next time your child gets frustrated and you might be surprised at how well this works.

Body Scan

Get comfortable. Lying down is preferable, particularly if you're doing a body scan meditation before you fall asleep. If that's not possible or comfortable, sitting comfortably is also an option.
Take a few deep breaths. Let your breathing slow down, and start breathing from your belly instead of from your chest, letting your abdomen expand and contract with each breath. If you find your shoulders rising and falling with each breath, focus more on breathing from your belly, as though a balloon is inflating and deflating in your abdomen with each breath.
Bring awareness to your feet. Now slowly bring your attention down to your feet. Begin observing sensations in your feet. If you notice pain, acknowledge it and any thoughts or emotions that accompany it, and gently breathe through it.
Breathe into the tension. If you notice any uncomfortable sensations, focus your attention on them. Breathe into them, and see what happens. Visualize the tension leaving your body through your breath and evaporating into the air. Move on when you feel ready.
Scan your entire body. Continue this practice with each area of your body, gradually moving up through your feet until you reach the top of your head. Notice how you feel and where you're holding your stress. If there's any tightness, pain, or pressure, continue to breathe into any tightness, pain, or pressure you're feeling. This can help you release tension in your body now, and be more aware of it in the future so you can release it then, too.

Tips

Practice this body scan technique anytime you feel stress or several times throughout the day as a regular practice.
If you don't have a lot of time, you can do an abbreviated version of this body scan by just sitting and noticing any place in your body that you're carrying tension, rather than moving from part to part. This will become easier the more you practice the body scan technique.

Mindful Eating

Supplies: timer, candy or fruit

The practice of mindfulness can be done at any time, even when eating! Being mindful of the food we eat helps us to slow down and appreciate the experience of eating. While this activity can be done with any food, it's fun to start with a food that's full of flavor and/or aroma (such as an orange).

Set a timer for two minutes. The idea is for your child to close their eyes, holding the object in their mouth and focusing on it without chewing. Let’s say it’s a Hershey’s Kiss...For three minutes, your child should focus on the candy melting in their mouth slowly. If their thoughts drift, they should simply bring their thoughts back to the candy. They should focus on the sensory experience—the taste and feel of the object. Doing so provides a tasty focal point for the mind and builds the capacity for stillness and mindful focus.

A place To "Get Calm"

Watch this video with your child(ren). https://youtu.be/RVA2N6tX2cg
Discuss how you and your child feel when you're upset. Make a list of noticings/clues that your bodies give you (ex. heart racing, fists clenched, etc) and compare/contrast your list with your child. Discuss how we all have different experiences and reactions and that's okay.
Create a calm spot area in your home where your child can go to "get calm." Find tools that help you calm down and place them in your calm spot area. An example of tools might be: a joke book, putty, a puzzle or word search, coloring sheet, essential oils, calm music, a glitter jar, etc.

How To Make A Glitter Jar:

How a Glitter Jar Can Help Kids Control Their FeelingsMindfulness is an important skill for kids to develop. Learn how to make a glitter jar to promote mindfulness and calm in your home or classroom.

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