Calm corners are such an incredible tool to have in your counseling office or classroom. It provides a safe place for students to use and improve their self regulation skills. To make calm corners work there are a couple skills and rules that need to be in place.
Going to the Space
When introducing the space, it is important to spend time practicing going to the calm corner. I like to focus on two adjectives for the transition: calmly and quickly.
Explain to students why calmly and quickly is so important for them, their classmates, and the classroom community. Calmly and quickly, shows we are working hard and doing our best to get back to calm. We are also being respectful of others who are working.
Now, I'm not naive. Often students are using the calm corner when they are angry or frustrated. There shouldn't be a penalty for a less than perfect transition. Rather practice with students, help them understand the why, and reflect with them after about ways to make that transition smoother.
In the Calm Corner
In the calm corner, students should go through 4+ steps. These steps make the calm down process interactive. It also pushes students to reflect on how they are feeling and focus on using strategies to get back to calm. These are the steps I use in my Calm Corner resource.
- Do a feelings check.
- Use a calming strategy.
- Do a feelings check.
- If calm, return to activity or debrief with teacher.
- If not calm, use the same strategy or another strategy.
- Do a feelings check.
- Return when calm or with adult support.
Calming Strategies
Students often do not have a toolbox full of calming strategies they know to use. This may even be a new concept for them. Review why calming strategies are helpful. Calming strategies get us back to calm, ready to learn, or other phrase that explains the purpose and value.
It is helpful to practice a selection of calming strategies and determine which strategies work best. Introduce 2-4 strategies to students.
I like to have the student reflect on four questions:
- Was this helpful?
- Do you feel calmer?
- Do you feel in control again?
- When could you use this strategy?
Students can create a calming strategy keychain or toolbox that is specific to them. When they go to the calming corner, they can chose their specific strategies.
Check out this resource for individualizing calming strategies for students.
Coping Strategy Workbook with the Coping Captain
and this blog post: Help Your Students Develop Coping Skills.
Leaving the Calm Corner
Part of an effective calm corner is students being able to tell when they are ready to return. The student should know that they are looking to be close to calm or at least ready to talk or work on a simple activity.
In the process described above, the student checks in on how they feel after using strategies. If they are not calm, they can repeat the strategy or try a new one.
Obviously, this cycle should not go on endlessly. Consider putting in a stop point where the student checks in with an adult. Timers are perfect for this.
Rejoining Class/Activity
Spending a short amount of time in a calm corner may help big feelings get smaller, but students might also be ready to rev back up again if met with frustration.
Consider having re-entry activities if your classroom or office uses the space frequently. These activities should be simple and frustration-free.
Again, emphasize and model that transitions from the break area should be calm and quick.
Outside the Calm Corner
One missing element that can sabotage a calm corner is if there is an audience (a.k.a. gawking classmates) that does not know what to do when someone is using the space.
If the student using the space is driven by attention, classmates laughing or staring while they are in the space can reinforce negative behaviors.
Teach students what to do when another student is using the calm corner. Make the rules clear and hold students accountable.
- Keep working.
- Give the person space.
- Make sure the student has privacy (no staring or talking).
- The break spot is a calm, quiet place.
Important Notes
Consider how the break spot is working for each student. If the student is using the space inappropriately or using it to avoid tasks, consider changes you can make that would eliminate these reinforcers.
Choose a good spot. The spot shouldn't be too isolated or too close to things. Students need space to calm and refocus, but also keep track of and be interested in returning to class. Make sure you have good visibility of the space. Make the spot comfortable.
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One thing that occurred to me is that peace corners (and I would tell my kids this) are an opportunity to: hit the reset button, to start or try again, to refresh and start all over. I think that’s another helpful thought for students to have.