Social Emotional Resources
Calming Down
Everyone feels stressed, anxious or frustrated sometimes. These feelings are NORMAL, but sometimes these feelings get so big that it is hard to focus. During Second Step Lessons, students learn strategies to identify their feelings and calm down.
Use these tips, tricks and calm down strategies if your student is ever feeling stressed, anxious or worried!
Watch these calm down videos!
How to Create a Calm Down Corner in Your Home
What is a Calm Down Corner?
A calm down corner is a place for kids to do just what the name says--calm down. It is a place where your child can pause and reset.
Often when children are misbehaving, it's because they are overstimulated. Going to a calm down corner is not a punishment, it is actually a happy space.
When to Use A Calm Down Corner
when your child is overstimulated
when your child isn't listening
when your child is having strong feelings and needs a break
when your child needs a break from screen time
when your child is being too silly
during a tantrum or if your child is being aggressive
What to Include in a Calm Down Corner
Soft & Cuddly
Pillows, bean bag chair, stuffed animals
Cozy & Comfy
A tent, a soft rug, blanket
Sights
Wall decals, soft glow lamp
Sensory
Slime, Playdoh, Squishy Toys
Smells
Essential Oils
Calming Activities
Glitter Jars, kaleidoscope, coloring pages, books
Fidget Toys
Spinner, fidget cube, Rubik's cube
Sounds
Headphones, calming music
Growth Mindset
A growth mindset means you understand intelligence can be developed. A growth mindset leads to increased motivation and achievement!
"In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work--brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilienve that is essential for great accomplishment."
-- Carol Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Students who embrace growth minsets--the belief that they can learn more or become smarter if they work hard--may learn more, learn it more quickly, and view challenges and failures as opportunities to improve their learning and skills.
