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Stacey Beavers » School-Wide Classroom Calming Corners

School-Wide Classroom Calming Corners

Thanks to a generous grant from Partnership for Awareness, we were able to implement Calming Down Corners in every classroom as part of our school-wide Tier 1 support system. These dedicated spaces are intentionally designed to help students practice self-regulation and regain emotional control when feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, anxious, or dysregulated.

 

Each Calming Down Corner includes a variety of sensory tools and tactile objects such as stress balls, fidget spinners, and textured cushions, —items that offer students a safe and non-disruptive way to manage their physical responses to stress. In addition to sensory tools, the corners are equipped with visual supports These include:

  • Step-by-step visual guides for calming down
  • Emotion charts with facial expressions and feeling words to help students identify what they’re experiencing
  • Breathing technique posters
  • Grounding activities, such as the “5-4-3-2-1” sensory checklist

 

Students are taught that the Calming Down Corner is not a punitive place, but rather a proactive tool for self-care and emotional well-being. Students are encouraged to use the space when they recognize their own signs of escalation or when prompted gently by a teacher. Over time, students begin to internalize the coping strategies practiced in the corner and learn to self-regulate more independently. By normalizing the need for breaks and supporting students in understanding and managing their emotions, Calming Down Corners have become an invaluable component of our trauma-informed and SEL-aligned school environment.

 

Together, these Tier 1 supports create a school culture where students feel seen, supported, and capable of managing life’s challenges—whether they are facing everyday frustrations or recovering from significant trauma like the wildfires. Our commitment to proactive, school-wide social-emotional learning, restorative relationships, and trauma-informed care ensures that every child has the tools and support needed to thrive both academically and emotionally.