Time
2-10 minutes
Level
Primary / Junior / Intermediate
Material
Items to mark the area, calming boxes, faith-based materials, noise-cancelling headphones
Purpose
To provide a calming space in the classroom for students to manage difficult feelings
- Co-create with students an area of the classroom as a calming space.
- Students may access the calming spaces when they feel stressed or frustrated.
- Have a class discussion about how to use this space. Predetermine its use, items for the space and the time allotted per student. A time extension may be requested if needed.
NOTE: It is important that these spaces are in a location that can be easily supervised. Also, be aware that in some schools there may be health and safety concerns with the use of tents/sheets
- Calming boxes may include a range of low-cost materials that students perceive as calming (e.g., fidget toys, mindful colouring pages, worry stones, etc.). Consider including a flipchart with picture cues of things students can do in the calming space.
- Faith-based materials such as a Bible, picture cards of Jesus and Saints, cross, Rosary, prayers, etc.
- Technology can also be included in the calming space, and students can access meditative music, videos and breathing technique apps.
Older students may not want a designated area, but there could be virtual “spaces” in the school day (e.g., times when students are permitted to listen to music while they work).
Having spaces or times for calming in the classroom normalizes emotions, and allows students to manage emotions, so they can refocus and engage in learning (Blair & Diamond, 2008; Diamond, Barnett, Thomas, & Munro, 2007).
Blair, C., & Diamond, A. (2008). Biological processes in prevention and intervention: The promotion of self-regulation as a means of preventing school failure. Development and Psychopathology, 20(3), 899-911. doi:10.1017/S0954579408000436
Diamond, A., Barnett, W. S., Thomas, J., & Munro, S. (2007). Preschool Program Improves Cognitive Control. Science, 318(5855), 1387-1388.
Physical and digital calming spaces can be areas to nurture our relationship with God and center our spiritual connection with God.
(6a) A caring family member who relates to family members in a loving, compassionate, and respectful manner.
Belonging and contributing: to develop their relationships with others, and their contributions as part of a group
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