Aug 2025 Positive Outcomes in Creating a Calming Corner

A calming corner is usually a dedicated space in which children can go and soothe themselves when they are experiencing strong emotions or simply need a moment to recharge their emotional batteries. It also promotes emotional self-regulation and builds healthy coping strategies. In this blog, we will review the positive benefits of having such a corner, share some suggested materials to place within it, and provide a few community resources to help support in designing your own.

Calm-down corners, also known as Zen Zones (the name is used interchangeably to accommodate older children), provide a designated space where children can regulate their strong emotions and learn to calm their body and mind independently. Normalizing calming corners or Zen Zones early on can help to destigmatize their use, becoming a standard way to calm down and engage in sensory learning.

What are the benefits of a calming corners?

Teaches mindfulness. Finding an activity that helps calm them down (e.g., breathing, reading, stretching) can teach the child to self-regulate and self-soothe when they feel strong emotions. Once the child takes a moment to calm down and self-soothe, the child can think more clearly and make better choices to respond to the situation at hand
Builds emotional intelligence. This is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotions, as well as to recognize and respond to the feelings of others
Provides a safe space to manage big emotions, such as sadness, anger, or frustration
Provides a moment to reflect, helping the child think about their needs, feelings, choices, and behaviors, as well as identify what helped them calm down while in the calming corner
Provides a dedicated space a child can choose to use, encouraging independence

Children who can self-regulate:

Are more likely to have positive social relationships and interactions with others
Do well in school
Cope with challenging situations more effectively
Handle stress with more resiliency
Are more aware of their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions; children need a lot of consistent support in this area since this is a learned skill
Understand expected behaviors and expectations
Have strategies to cope with intense emotions and impulses
Can more easily delay gratification and control impulses in the moment
Develop problem-solving skills
Recognize when they need help and accept help from others

Some great games to teach self-regulation are:

Simon Says: One person is chosen as Simon, the leader. The other children gather around Simon, and Simon gives instructions by saying, “Simon says to…”
Freeze Dance:One person should be in charge of turning the music on and off as they like. When the music is turned on, everyone is encouraged to dance. As soon as the music stops, everyone must stop dancing and hold still until the music starts playing again
Falling Blocks: Players take turns removing one block from a tower and placing it on the top of the tower. The object of the game is to be the last player to successfully remove a block without causing the tower to collapse

Some ideas to create a calming corner are:

Design a space in a quiet area away from noisy play
Set up the area with minimal clutter so that it can be visually accessible for adults and children while still providing some privacy for the child
Pick a location with good natural light that creates an inviting atmosphere
Set up the area with multiple plants, soft lighting, and/or paint the walls with calm colors such as pale green, blues, or other pastels
Maintain, rotate, and introduce the materials regularly
Set clear guidelines about the use of space, such as the number of people who can use the space at one time, how to use new materials, and the length of time that can be spent there. Use a timer as needed to provide an opportunity for other children to use the space
Introduce the materials with intent and review how to use some of the items, for example, if a sensory bottle is available, go through the steps on how to use it:

Grab your favorite sensory bottle
Hold the bottle tightly if you are planning to shake it
Watch the materials swirl and move
Count down and breathe as you watch the materials slowly settle down to the bottom

Some other suggested materials to include:

Mindful Breath Maze
Fidget toys or squishy toys
Noise-cancelling headphones
Books about feelings
Oversized floor cushions
Plush bean bags
Floor desk
String lights
Rocking chairs or other flexible seating, such as a wobble stool
How do you feel illustrations
Emotions puppets/sticks
Coloring books
Weighted stuffed animals

It is also important to note that just as adults have different needs, so do children. Some children may need more physical movement to help support their self-regulation coping skills. Increasing movement opportunities has many benefits, such as providing a physical outlet to burn off energy when feeling overwhelmed with emotions. Some children seek out movement activities to cope and calm down, such as bouncing, jumping, and running.

Two different types of movement patterns that support the sensory system are:

Proprioceptive activities (walking down the stairs, pushing a basket of blocks)
Vestibular activities (jumping, dancing, yoga)

Some more physically involved activity ideas include:

Water plants: Lifting a semi-heavy watering can or scooping small cups of water back and forth provides structured movement (and a great opportunity to build a garden)
Make playdough: Squishing, squeezing, and pulling apart playdough increases proprioceptive input in hands and small joints
Create an art corner: Providing a variety of art materials to increase proprioceptive input in hands and small joints
Practice yoga: Place a yoga mat with a few printable flashcards for the child to follow, providing a structured movement opportunity, or view a child-friendly YouTube channel
Practice belly breathing, which provides time to slow down and process big emotions (CHS Bunny Breathing exercise )

Other great activities are watching the following kid-friendly videos:

Resources and References

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)

Children’s Home Society of California: Activity Guides

Children’s Home Society of California: Games and Activities that Build Self-Regulation Skills

Conscious Discipline: The Power That Comes From Teaching Children to Set Boundaries Effectively at a Young Age

Edutopia: Incorporating the Calming Corner into Station Rotation

Environment Rating Scales Institute (ERSI)

First 5 California: The Calm Down Kit: An Easy-to-Make Tool to Help Your Child Feel Calm

NAEYC: Rocking and Rolling. Sharing Our Calm: The Role of Regulation in the Infant Toddler Classroom

Sesame Street workshop: Calming Strategies

U.S Department of Health & Human Services: Social & Emotional Development