A classroom Calming/Quiet Area is a quiet area of the room equipped with soft furnishings and soothing materials to help a student de-escalate when upset. The purpose of a calming corner is for students to briefly get away from the frustrating task or over-stimulating activity to de-escalate. When students are in the calming corner space, the goal is to give the student “time away” so that the behavior does not escalate any further. The calming corner is a positive place that rewards students for noticing that they are feeling emotionally dysregulated and using strategies to calm themselves so that learning can occur (The Watson Institute, 2017). 

Process for implementing a classroom calming corner:

1. Select a low traffic area where students can truly remove themselves from the classroom activities.

2. Furnish the area appropriately. 

3. Set up partitions (if necessary or possible). Be sure supervision can be maintained at all times.

4. Teach students how and when to use the area.

   1. Let them know they are allowed to use the area at the first sign of becoming upset. This escalation will feel different for each student so it is important to let them explore and discuss what that means to them.

   2. Have a visual timer for use in the area. Teach students that this area is a temporary space to calm and the expectation is to return to the work area once calm. Agree on an amount of time with each student before they need the area and be flexible with this time limit, as necessary.

5. When students effectively utilize the Calming/Quiet Area, privately reinforce them for returning to the work area.