Calm Down Corner Printables and Ideas
A calm down corner is a small, quiet spot where a child can go to take a break when feelings get big. Use the maker below to print a poster for it: pick up to 12 calm tools with pictures, add four simple steps and a "How do I feel now?" row of faces, and add big cut-out tool cards if you like.
Make your calm down corner poster
What to put in a calm down corner
You do not need much. A soft seat or cushion, a basket with two or three things to hold (a soft toy, a squeeze ball), a couple of books, paper and crayons, and the poster on the wall. Keep it in a calm part of the room, away from the TV or the busiest table.
In a classroom, a beanbag in a corner with a small rug works well. Give the space a friendly name together: calm corner, cozy corner, peace corner. You can change the poster title in the maker.
How to introduce it
Show the corner when everyone is calm, not in the middle of a meltdown. Walk through the steps on the poster: notice the feeling, breathe slowly, pick a tool, come back when ready. Practice a tool or two together so they are familiar.
Try to keep the corner a choice and a comfort, not a punishment. Many adults sit nearby at first. Over time, some children start going on their own, which is the goal.
Calm down corner ideas for home and class
Rotate the tools every few weeks so the corner stays interesting. Add a feelings chart so kids can point to how they feel before and after. For routines that cause the most stress, a printed morning or bedtime routine chart can help too.
Frequently asked questions
Is a calm down corner the same as time-out?
It is meant to be different. Time-out is usually a consequence; a calm down corner is a comfortable place a child can choose to use. How you present it matters more than the furniture.
What age is a calm down corner for?
Families and teachers commonly use them with children from about 3 to 10. Older kids often prefer a quiet spot with a book or music rather than a poster.
What are the cut-out cards for?
They are larger versions of each calm tool, six per page. Laminate them, put them on a ring or in a basket, and let your child pick one.
Can I print it in black and white?
Yes. Choose "Black & white" to save ink. Children can color the pictures in, which also makes the poster feel like theirs.
Is anything I type saved?
No. The poster is built in your browser and nothing is uploaded or stored.