Sensory Bins for Calming Corner, a project from Ms. Murowski (2024)

FAQs

What is the calm down corner strategy? ›

The Classroom Calming Corner is a positive place that rewards students for keeping their emotions in check and using strategies to calm themselves so that learning can occur. Select a quiet, cozy area in your classroom and add a rug and soft seating such as cushions, bean bag chair, or pillows.

How to Make a Sensory Corner: This can be very simple, the most important part is it is enclosed as a separate space. Add items that your child enjoys. It can be a simple box or tent that can be packed away at the end of play.

Try designating a corner in a typically quiet room in your home as your child's new calm down corner. Fill the space with a soft rug or mat, bean bag chair, or other plush options for sitting or lying down, and with some of your child's favorite books, stuffed animals or quiet toys.

Benefits of the Calming Corner

Students learn how to use calming tools and activities before they need them. This means they're more likely to be able to regulate themselves effectively when feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Students develop a positive association with the calming corner.

Other names for this corner could be: Cozy Corner, Zen Zone, Sensory Tent, Me Zone … or whatever you wish to come up. A calm down corner, sometimes referred to as a mindfulness corner, is a designated space in your classroom where students can go when they need to regulate their emotions.

The Four Corners teaching strategy is designed to get students moving while assessing or introducing a topic or content. This strategy is one that asks students to make a decision about a question, problem, or topic by physically moving to a predetermined part of the room based on their response or choice.

Do not try to talk to them because they cannot respond to logic or reason. Instead, stay calm, show empathy, help them become self-aware, and guide them through sensory experiences and calming strategies. Be supportive and encouraging. Help children feel cared about, valued, and understood as they learn to regulate.

Items include mindfulness cards, calming wheels, sensory dough, books, yoga kits, weighted lap pads, breathing board, pillows, seating and a canopy.

Sensory Corner Ideas:

Some kind of glowing experience. There are lots of great, and affordable ways to create a good glow in your sensory corner including fairy lights, LED lights and mood lighting. Simply choose whichever works best for you and your child. A variety of materials with different textures.

Why calm corners are good for kids? ›

Benefits of a Calm-Down Corner

Calm-down corners allow kids to be aware of their own emotions. Kids learn how to identify their emotions so they can better regulate them. Calm-down corners provide a safe space for kids to process these emotions in a vulnerable state without distraction or judgment.

Use an aromatherapy diffuser to disperse essential oils in your calming corner. Calming Music: Calming music or nature sounds can help block out distractions and create a soothing atmosphere. Yoga Mats: Yoga mats can be used for breathing exercises and mindfulness practices.

Some effective ways to relax your mind include practicing mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Remember, what works might vary from person to person.

Since the goal is to remove your child from an overwhelming environment or situation, it makes sense to put the calm down corner in a quiet space. That way, it won't be in the center of ensuing chaos from siblings or other household activities. Use a corner in a room that isn't often used by other children.

The Four Corners teaching strategy is designed to get students moving while assessing or introducing a topic or content. This strategy is one that asks students to make a decision about a question, problem, or topic by physically moving to a predetermined part of the room based on their response or choice.