You don't need much space. You can even place items in a reusable shopping bag if you'd prefer to have it more flexible. Figure out a space that works best for your family. Here are a few suggested spaces for your Reflection Room/Space at home:
a corner in a bedroom
a child's tent
a cozy chair
a small blanket fort
a blanket
a low laundry basket
Once you've selected your space, make it cozy! Here are a few suggested items to make it feel relaxing and comfortable:
pillows
a favorite blanket
stuffed animals
handmade poster with inspirational quotes
photographs of people or animals you love
As you explore the practices throughout the Virtual Reflection Room, what's most important is that as you do these activities, you begin to notice how each one makes you feel, so you can decide what works best for you. Below are a list of items in addition to the ones you can find througout the SEL Activities and this Virtual Reflection Room Site that you may want to add to your Reflection Room at home:
a Mood Meter or tool to help you label your emotions and check in with your feelings
playdough
slime
favorite book
art supplies
journal
Like learning a new academic skill, emotion regulation strategies need to be modeled and practiced. The best time to do this is not when big emotions are visiting, but when children are regulated. A calm and regulated brain is when good decision making happens, and the doorway to learning new material is opened. By making time to practice these activities and discuss with children when feel they would be most helpful, healthy emotion regulation habits will begin to form for children to draw upon when big emotions arise. Remember to be patient with this process, and keep in mind that sometimes the calming presence of a loving family member may be all the support they are looking for and need.