Calm Down Corner for Preschool: Using the Calming Corner
This session introduces the calm down corner, helping young students learn when to use it and what to do there when big feelings feel like a lot. After a short video, students talk about which calming tools might help a classmate feel ready, and they play a quick movement game where they go to a corner that matches how a story would make them feel. The focus is on noticing feelings early and choosing a strategy that helps.
Extension activity
- Skill
- Self-Regulation
- Goal
- Using Your Self-Controller
- Grade level
- Pre-K & K
Get everything you need to teach the skill
These materials are part of a no-prep session designed by our clinical team, with all the structure, scaffolding, and support you need to teach included.
Engaging materials
Video modeling lessonUsing the Calming Corner
In this video, young learners discover how to use the Calming Corner when they feel overwhelmed. Through video modeling, students learn to recognize big emotions, choose calming strategies, and reset so they can return to learning.
- Extension activity
Interactive Worksheet: My Calming Corner Toolbox
In this activity, students create a personalized toolkit filled with self-regulation strategies like deep breathing, counting to ten, and using a fidget. By practicing and selecting their favorite calming tools, they build confidence in managing big emotions and taking meaningful breaks.
Plus everything you need to teach them
Warm-up
- Video: Lion and Cat Breathing3:12
- Video: Our Senses Calming Break2:27
- Video: Yoga Pose Library
Session Opener
Guiding Question: When would someone use the Calming Corner?
Practice
- Discussion Question
- Role-Play Activity
- Mini Game
How to use it with your students
- 1Watch Play the video modeling lesson so students see the skill in action.
- 2Practice Try the skill together with a discussion prompt, role-play, or mini game.
- 3Extend Use the extension activity to help students carry the skill further.
What's Covered
In this lesson, students learned that the calming corner is a space where they can take a break and reset when they feel big emotions like mad or upset. They practiced noticing how their body feels and choosing a calming tool that helped them feel ready to rejoin the group, such as belly breaths or holding a fidget.
Key Terms
- Calming Corner
- The calming corner is a space where you can go to help your body feel calm. There might be tools to help you feel calm, or you can use strategies like belly breathing or naming your feelings.
- Self-Controller
- Someone who notices their big feelings early and uses calming strategies.
Sample IEP Goal This Session Supports
-
Using Your Self-Controller
Learner will use their Self-Controller to manage stress responses when triggers arise (e.g., unexpected changes, transitions away from preferred activities) by recognizing stress signals and applying a self-selected strategy before reacting in 4 out of 5 opportunities independently/given X prompt(s).
Send this tip home to support generalization
At home or in the classroom, try setting up a small spot with a fidget, a book, or a pillow where a student can take a break when they start to feel upset. When a big feeling comes up, you can offer the spot as one choice and try a few deep breaths together before rejoining the group.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this intervention free?
Yes, this ready-to-teach session on Using the Calming Corner is free. You can access this intervention free for 14 days through the Everyday Speech Session Library. Every user gets three free sessions, but you can get more or extend your access by sharing the Session Library with friends and colleagues.
What ages is this for?
These materials are designed for PreK and kindergarten students.
What's included?
You'll get access to your choice of warm-up videos, a session opener, a core material on Using the Calming Corner, three practice prompts, and an extension activity, Interactive Worksheet: My Calming Corner Toolbox.
What skill does this intervention teach?
This ready-to-teach session is on self-regulation - more specifically, using your self-controller.
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