Quiet/Safe Place Tool

Concept: Some of our students come from neighborhoods that are neither quiet nor safe, where they may experience chaos and lack of consistency on a daily basis. Yet every child has the need and right to feel safe. This tool is to help students create and visualize a safe space for themselves. If they already have a physical safe space (bedroom, under a table, cozy corner), this may be easier for them to do. It is helpful to remember that some students might need more time and guidance to create their safe spaces.

Hand gesture: Place hand over ears while bending head slightly forward. Close eyes and “go to” your quiet/safe space

Suggestions on how to introduce the tool to your students:

• Ask students if they have a physical quiet safe space- what does it look like? How do you feel when you are there?

• We can also imagine our own quiet/safe place-

  • Close your eyes if you feel comfortable. Imagine a Quiet/Safe Place. It could be a real place like in your house or apartment, maybe it’s a place in the classroom, outside someplace, or just in your imagination. It could be up in the sky on a warm, soft cloud. What do you see around you? What colors do you see? Are there flowers or trees? Animals or other people?........what does your Quiet/Safe space feel like? Is the wind blowing gently? Are you warm or cool? What sounds do you hear? Birds? Wind or waves? Music? What do you smell? Rain or ocean? Flowers?.....

• Have students open their eyes and repeat “I remember my Quiet/Safe Place” and use the hand gesture.

• Ask when it might be helpful to use this tool. Give them additional ideas of when to use them, and when you use them in your own life.

Practice and implementation- choose from the following:

• At the beginning of the day, start class by asking the class to remember their Quiet/Safe Places. Talk to them about their positive feelings associated with being there. This allows them to start the day in a good place.

• Have them remember their Quiet/Safe Place before a writing assignment or assessments

• Cue students using the hand gestures to remind them to remember their Quiet/Safe Place

• Create a physical Quiet/Safe Place in your classroom