9 Must-Haves for a Preschool Calm Down Corner

Why You Need a Calm Down Corner for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are still developing emotionally. They are learning how to regulate their feelings, express emotions appropriately, and interact with others in a social setting. As a result, they can become overwhelmed by frustration, anxiety, excitement, or sensory overload. Having a designated preschool calm down corner in your classroom provides children with a safe space where they can process their emotions and regain a sense of calm before rejoining classroom activities. Without a preschool calming space, children may struggle to process their feelings constructively. This can lead to emotional outbursts, classroom disruptions, and difficulties with peer relationships. A calm down corner for preschool isn’t about punishment or isolation—it’s a proactive and positive way to help young learners develop the self-regulation skills they need for long-term emotional health and success.

Benefits of a Preschool Calm Down Corner

Implementing a preschool calm down corner has several benefits for both teachers and students:

• • Promotes Emotional Regulation – Encourages children to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions.

• • Reduces Classroom Disruptions – Helps minimize outbursts, meltdowns, and other behaviors that interrupt learning.

• • Fosters Independence – Teaches children to use strategies for calming down without always needing adult intervention.

• • Encourages Mindfulness – Supports healthy coping strategies, such as deep breathing and self-reflection.

• • Creates a Safe and Supportive Classroom Culture – Shows children that their emotions are valid and that they have a space to process them safely.

Must-Haves in a Calm Down Corner for Preschool

Creating an effective calm down corner for preschool requires thoughtful planning. Here are the essential components you should include:

1. A Safe Space

The location of your calming area matters. Choose a quiet, low-traffic area of your classroom that children can visit without feeling isolated. The space should feel cozy and inviting, making children comfortable enough to self-regulate. Consider adding:

• • A small rug or soft mat

• • Pillows, bean bags, or a child-sized chair

• • A tent or a soft partition for added privacy while maintaining visibility for supervision

• • Soft lighting, such as a small lamp or twinkle lights, to create a soothing atmosphere

2. Sensory Tools

Sensory input plays an important part in emotional regulation. Sensory tools help children calm themselves when they feel overwhelmed. Consider adding items like:

• • Stress balls or squishy toys

• • Fidget spinners or pop-it toys

• • Weighted lap pads or plush animals

• • Sensory bottles filled with glitter and liquid

• • Playdough, putty, or kinetic sand

Providing a variety of sensory tools allows children to engage in self-soothing behaviors that work best for them.

3. Feelings Chart

Many preschoolers struggle with identifying their emotions. A feelings chart helps children recognize and label their emotions before deciding on a calming strategy. Include visuals, such as faces depicting different emotions, and simple words to help guide them in expressing how they feel. You might also add a mirror so children can observe their facial expressions and match them with the chart.

You can download a FREE printable Emotions Poster by clicking on the picture below.

4. Breathing and Mindfulness Aids

Deep breathing and mindfulness exercises help children regulate their emotions by focusing on their breath and body. Some great tools include:

• • A pinwheel for practicing deep breathing

• • Bubble wands to encourage slow, controlled breaths

• • A “smell the flower, blow out the candle” poster with simple breathing instructions

• • A breathing star tracing card

• • Guided mindfulness cards with simple relaxation techniques

Teaching preschoolers these breathing exercises equips them with lifelong skills for managing stress and anxiety. We like to practice these strategies as a whole class to get children familiar with what to do.

5. Visual Calming Strategy Suggestions

Clear, step-by-step strategy charts in your preschool calm down corner empower children to take control of their emotions by choosing a self-regulation strategy. You can include visual prompts like:

• • “Take three deep breaths”

• • “Squeeze a stress ball”

• • “Hug a stuffed animal”

• • “Count to ten”

• • “Watch the glitter settle in a sensory bottle”

I like to provide 8-10 strategies to choose from. This gives each child the opportunity to take ownership of the way in which they calm down. Even that little bit of choice can help them begin to feel calmer.

6. Cozy and Comforting Elements

Your preschool calming space should feel warm and welcoming. Include cozy objects such as:

• • Blankets

• • Stuffed animals

• • Rocking chairs

7. Books About Emotions

Including books about feelings and emotions is a great way to teach self-regulation through storytelling. Some great options include:

• • “The Color Monster” by Anna Llenas

• • “When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry” by Molly Bang

• • “Breathe Like a Bear” by Kira Willey

Books offer valuable lessons in emotional intelligence and reinforce the importance of managing feelings in healthy ways. I like to read these books aloud during our social emotional time at morning meeting. Then, when children see the books in the calm down corner they are familiar with the story and can review them as they try to get calm.

8. Headphones or White Noise Machine

Sometimes, external noises can contribute to a child’s frustration. Providing noise-canceling headphones or a small white noise machine can help create a more serene environment. I love this small, portable white noise machine.

9. Journals or Drawing Supplies

For children who enjoy expressing themselves creatively, having a small notebook, coloring pages, or blank paper with crayons can be a wonderful way for them to process their emotions.

Printable Resources for Your Preschool Calming Space

To make setting up your preschool calm down corner easier, printable resources can be a game-changer. I have created an entire printable packet of Calm Down Corner materials with resources such as:

• • Feelings check-in charts to help children identify their feelings
  • Breathing technique posters to guide self-soothing
  • Yoga Posters to help children use physical movement and focus to calm down
  • Tracing Shapes pages that children can trace as they practice calm breathing

These resources not only provide a great way for little learners to calm down, but they are also colorful and visually appealing, so they make the calm down corner a beautiful part of your classroom! The printables can be put on a bulletin board or placed on ring clips to flip through if you only have room for a basket or two.

How to Introduce Your  Preschool Calm Down Corner to Your Students

A preschool calming space is most effective when children understand how and when to use it. Here’s how to introduce it:

1. 1. Model How to Use It – Demonstrate how to use the space by walking through the steps of identifying feelings, choosing a strategy, and returning to class.

1. 1. Role-Playing – Have students practice using the calm down corner during a non-stressful time.

1. 1. Encourage Positive Use – Reinforce that the area is for emotional regulation, not punishment.

1. 1. Set Expectations – Establish clear rules about when and how the calm down corner should be used.

Setting up a calm down corner for preschool is a small but impactful step toward fostering emotional growth and self-regulation. By providing a designated calming space, you equip your students with the tools they need to manage their emotions in a safe and productive way. If you love the Calm Down Corner printable packet I created, you can check it out by clicking the picture below!

You can download a FREE printable Emotions Poster by clicking on the picture below.

Have you set up a preschool calm down corner in your classroom? Share your favorite must-haves in the comments below!

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