or a Zen Zone or Cozy Corner
Are you a teacher in need of a Peace Corner in your classroom? Do you wonder how to even create a Peace Corner? This post can help you get started in creating a peace corner in your classroom.
There are many reasons why a student my end up needing the peace corner.
- Sometimes it can get overwhelming to be part of the big group and a student needs a little time on their own to manage and process their emotions.
- Some students may find the big group activities to be over-stimulating.
- Many students come to school hungry or had a traumatic situation occur.
- When students come to school late it makes for a difficult transition into the classroom.
Giving the students a place to go, with clear directions, can help them to self-regulate and get back to the big group. Teaching the student how to use the tools in the peace corner is essential in it being a successful part of your classroom.
Sometimes teachers need to make that choice for a student, but sometimes the students may need to make that choice for themselves. Teachers can set up a signal, such as showing the peace sign (Little Flower Yoga) at their heart, to let the teacher know they need to go there.
This is a space for students to check in to get their Bulldog Brain calm and their Wise Owl Brain turned on to be able return to the task. This is a space with structure – specific props and directions with a time frame in mind. These students crave the structure and boundaries, but while there, they are left to make those choices for themselves of what they need in that moment.
Use a Feelings Poster
For younger students, having a poster with faces with emotions on it can be helpful in having a student identify how they are feeling in that moment and can allow them to use whatever tool they need (breathing exercise or prop) to get themselves to a place where they can then make a Wise Owl choice and return. Use this as a lesson in self-care!
I Need to Get Calm
You can also download this poster called “I Need to Get Calm” that we created for a Peace Corner. We use the Wise Owl and Bulldog language in our poster. If you want to learn more about how to teach about the brain to your students, check out this video that shares about the Wise Owl and Bulldog brain.
Some other ideas for the peace corner:
- Have a sign in so you know how often a child is using it.
- Create a time to check in and meet with student to talk about what worked.
- The students can write you a letter letting you know what worked for them.
- Give them a choice of timers to use.
Using the following props; make this a cozy spot for kids to calm themselves.
- mini breathing ball (Hoberman’s Sphere)
- mindful glitter bottle
- owl & dog stuffed animals
- books (check our resource list for some ideas!)
- bubble timer
- Mindful Yoga Breaks Card Deck®
- Mindful Yoga Breaks® posters
- tea lights
- beads & string
- cushioned jar and marbles to fill it
- mini mandalas with crayons
- linking blocks
- sensory balloons (balloons filled with sand, seeds, rice, etc.)
- Play Dough
- puzzles
- squeeze balls
- breathing stick
- weighted sensory blanket
What ideas have you used in your Peace Corner?
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