Calming corner: A classroom idea to reduce stress and anxiety

Back-to-school season is here! It is an exciting time for educators and students alike; however, it can also bring added stress and anxiety.

With this in mind, this school year, I have decided to implement a Calming Corner in my classroom, not only for the beginning of the school year worries, but for any big emotions that can come along the way.

Educators, you can also achieve this in your classroom. Here are four ways to update a simple classroom corner to make it a calming and safe place for your students.

1. Find a spot in your classroom. Corners work great, but this can be any nook in your classroom that is not in use and can house a calming station.

2. Make it comfy. My calming corner is filled with fun, decorative pillows that give it a home-like feel. These pillows can be found at stores such as Five Below, or you can even get some by decluttering your own kids’ bedrooms.

3. Add strategies. You can find posters online, in-store or create your own! These strategies can be ways to breathe, finger-tracing patterns, etc. This step truly makes the calming corner; we can’t assume students know or have acquired any techniques.

4. Create rules for use. These rules can be extremely flexible, especially because we can’t predict when we will have a student in distress. However, it should be clear to students when they can and can’t access this corner of the classroom. It can be multi-use as well. When a student does not need it to calm down, then it can be used as a reading corner. The possibilities are endless; just make sure your students are aware of your vision.

What ideas do you have for your own calming corner? Share them with us at Arizona PBS Kids on Facebook.

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About the author

Marissa Will is the mother of two, Olivia (8) and Logan (6). Writing was her first passion: she’s a freelance writer and a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication alumna. Will is currently educating the future leaders of tomorrow: She has spent the past nine years educating third grade with a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University-Yuma.