In Room 16, we feel as though the calm down area that we have created has been quite beneficial to the needs of the children. They find comfort in items such as a calm down jar (instructions can be found on Pinterest), various hand fidgets, a weighted blanket, a soft, child-sized chair, and books about emotions such as  When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang. We also have a poster and picture cards with various emotions on them. Paper and crayons could be added to help the children express how they are feeling through art. Another idea would be to have a chalkboard or canvas available with a paintbrush and water so the children can draw their feelings and -hopefully by the time the water dries - calm down. What we like the best is that we have a sheer white curtain that the children can close themselves if they feel as though they need to block out others.
 

As teachers, we are always seeking new information about supporting each child's development and self-regulation. Here is a list of resources that will offer information and tips about self-regulation in the classroom or at home. Keep in mind that many of the ideas that we offer in our classroom environments could easily be transferred into even the smallest spaces in your home.