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Behavior Blog Classroom Setup Freebies Visuals

4 Ideas for a Calm Down Center

Our students can experience lots of big feelings throughout the day, and often times then may have a hard time regulating those emotions. This is where we come in and teach them self-regulation and calming strategies. I have 4 ideas for a calm down center that can work in your classroom! I also have a free calm down center checklist available HERE!

furniture to block off calm down center
Use furniture to block off an area for a calm down center!

#1: Use Furniture to Make a Defined Space

To make a safe space for all students, I use furniture to block off our calm down center. I do this for a few reasons. First, I want to give the student that is dysregulated and in need of the calm down center privacy. Second, if the student is engaging in unsafe behavior, I want to have space and barriers between them and other students. And lastly, I like to make in essentially removed from the rest of the classroom to give the student in need space to regulate their emotions so they can rejoin the class.

mats in calm down center
Put gym mats on the floor and walls of the calm down center to make a safe space for students!

#2: Use Gym Mats

When creating your calm down center, ask your building admin if there are any available gym mats you can have for your classroom. I always use gym mats on the floor and walls in my calm down center in the classroom. It creates a safe space for students when they are dysregulated. You can also add some beanbags or other comfy elements. I like to use things small and light enough for me to remove easily if needed.

calm down center teacher toolkit
Make a staff kit to keep near the calm down center!

#3: Prepare a Staff Kit

Prepare a staff kit of anything a staff member may need while assisting a student that is dysregulated. Things like timers, counters, visuals, data sheets, pens, etc. are great to have easy access to while managing challenging behaviors. I also keep a folder of behavior and safety plans here so they are readily available when needed in the calm down center.

sensory self-regulation toolkit
The sensory self-regulation toolkit provides students with necessary tools for regulation!

#4: Have the Sensory Self-Regulation Toolkit Available

Last but not least, grab the Sensory Self-Regulation Toolkit and have it prepped to assist your students in regulating their emotions. The toolkit has:

  • 45 Request Card Visuals
  • 45 Labels
  • “I Want __” Choice Board
  • “My Choice Board” (field of 4)
  • “______’s Choice Board” (field of 4)
  • Sensory Choice Board (field of 8)
  • Sensory Rules Sign
  • Sensory Steps List
  • Sensory Steps Checklist

Everything you need to set up your calm down center for success is included in the Sensory Self-Regulation Toolkit!

Having a calm down center in special education classrooms is essential! Grab the Calm Down Center Checklist for FREE to get started! For more tips on how to use the Sensory Self-Regulation Toolkit, check out Alyssa’s blog post! What do you have in your calm down center? Let me know in the comments!

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Hi amazing teachers!
I'm Alyssa Shanahan -- a former Elementary Special Ed & Life Skills teacher. My classroom focus was always to keep things simple, increase communication, and build independence. Simply Special Ed's goal is to help teachers and students reach their full potential in and out of the classroom!

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