Calm Down Kits for Prarie Creek Elementary
Issued
2021 - 2022
Type
Classroom Tools
Amount
$2,000
Applicant(s)
Michelle Adler
Description
This year Prairie Creek Elementary School is making a dedicated and intentional push
toward implementing Trauma Informed Practices (TIP). We’ve learned about Zones of
Regulation (see zonesofregulation.com for more information) and nearly all classrooms are
implementing this simple system to help kids identify their emotions and aid in learning
readiness. Calmdown Corners are our next step in understanding and utilizing TIP. Calmdown
Corners give students a place to go when they recognize they’re not in good head space, not
completely regulated, and need some time to work back into a “green brain that’s ready to
learn.” According to Action for Healthy Kids (2019), “A calm down corner is a designated
space in a home or classroom with the sole intent of being a safe space for a child to go to
when they feel their emotions are running too high and they need to regain their emotional and
physical control. These spaces are equipped with comforting objects and soothing materials
that can promote mindfulness, breathing and reflection.”
Prairie Creek is seeking funding to give each classroom teacher and special teacher a calmdown
corner kit to keep in their classrooms. Harmon (2018), notes, “A calm down corner is
not complete without tools students can use to help themselves regulate their emotions. Some
students need to use tangible items to help themselves calm down.” This Calm Down Kit
would include such items such as bubble wrap, pop-its, fidget spinners, pinwheels, bubbles,
mindfulness posters, pillows and soft toys, coloring books and colored pencils, a breathing
ball, puzzles, a weighted lap blanket, appropriate seating (bean bag or spring chair), stress
ball, silly putty, books, pipe cleaners, legos, and a mirror. The tub would have a rotating supply
of things in it. When students begin to feel emotionally disregulated, or the teacher senses
they are, the Calm Down corner is a space students choose to go to before things escalate.
The activities are designed so the student can slow down, think through their next steps, and
return to their seat ready to learn, all within a matter of 5-10 minutes. This keeps the child
from leaving the class and missing valuable learning time, and is key in helping kids learn how
to refocus when emotions are high.