How to Set Up a Calming Corner that Really Works in Kindergarten

Giving your students a safe place to calm down in the classroom is essential. But you want to set up a space that really works and not just a play zone. Get tips and tricks for setting up a calming space that really works in the kindergarten classroom.
✨ Shop Calming Space Printables: teachingexceptionalkinders.co...
💖 Break Card Freebie: www.teacherspayteachers.com/P...
😀📖 Read about Calming Corners: teachingexceptionalkinders.co...
WATCH THIS NEXT:
Behavior Reflection Tools Video: • Behavior Reflection Sh...
__________________________
🧑‍🏫 Get everything you need for the classroom: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Amy-Murray-Teaching-Exceptional-Kinders
👋 Come say "Hi" 👋
Website: www.teachingexceptionalkinder...
IG: / teachingexceptionalkin...
FB: / teachingexceptionalkin...
P: / teachingekinder
00:00 Calm Down Corners
01:59 Renaming your Calm Down Corner
04:25 Setting expectations
07:45 Creating a Calm Down Kit
11:08 What to put in your Calming Corner
12:40 How do kids go to a calming space?
14:40 Behavioral reflection tool
#calmingcorner #kindergarten #teachertips #classroommanagement

[@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher]

I completely agree with you on the renaming strategy. Ours is the Cozy Corner and the kids love it!

[@teachingexceptionalkinders]

Great idea - I'm glad the kids love it! :)

[@JesseB38]

I'm so glad I found this video. Thank you for all the tips to create a calm corner!

[@teachingexceptionalkinders]

Thanks for watching! I hope your calming space works well this year!

[@mmemarnie]

Wow Im loving your videos! Thank you for these tips. Ill be setting up a Cozy Corner or Vacay Space soon!

[@courtneyjaynes6165]

This is great! Thank you! I'm curious as to whether or not you TELL kids to go to Hawaii or if it's just a spot where they self-identify the need to go there? I could potentially see saying something like, "Oh, you seem tired/frustrated/disappointed... now might be a good time for you to spend some time in Hawaii!" If the student refuses, then you move on... it's not a punishment, it's not a consequence... it's a tool. Then maybe coming back to it with the student who refuses... having a quiet conversation with them about why you suggested it? Maybe? I so appreciate your work Amy!

[@teachingexceptionalkinders]

As long as you're not sending them to Hawaii as a punishment, I don't see any harm in suggesting it. I like to frame things like this, "Your behavior choices (you could be more specific) are showing/telling me that you may be ___(tired, frustrated, etc.), maybe spending time in Hawaii could help?"

[@casance]

lol...love it. And we will be going to Jamaica..lol. That makes so much sense, I never thought of that and its true, I hate when people tell me to calm down. It doesn't really help with my calming down process, so I know that it doesn't work for rhe children either. This was great advice and I am do glad I came across your page.

[@teachingexceptionalkinders]

Jamaica sounds wonderful!

[@kellypyron]

How long do students stay in Hawaii? How long is the sand timer? Thank you! I am a new subbie! 😊

[@teachingexceptionalkinders]

Hi Kelly - The timing is totally up to you and how long you think your students will need for their break. I had a set of sand timers with 1, 3, and 5 minutes. Usually, I put the 3 minute timer in there because in half day kindergarten, we didn't have a lot of time to spend in Hawaii.

[@Gibby-ud4kh]

If two children were upset at the same time, likely because they were angry at each other, what do you do?

[@teachingexceptionalkinders]

That's a great question. Our calm down corner was always portable so students could take the materials to where they needed them. When students are upset with each other, you could opt to have them choose a calming strategy at their seats or even have a neighbor teacher's calming space available to lend a space. If it is a frequent occurance (of bigger behaviors) that multiple students need the space at once, I'd opt to have a second space available in a neighboring teacher's room to help diffuse the situation.