In a busy early learning room, nestled between a soft rug and a basket of sensory tools, something quietly revolutionary was unfolding. It wasn’t a new curriculum or a flashy resource—it was a space. A space designed not for punishment, but for peace. Not for isolation, but for connection. It was the Calm Corner, and it changed everything.
Educator Mia had noticed escalating meltdowns during transitions. Instead of reaching for a behaviour chart, she reached for empathy.
“The children weren’t misbehaving,” she said. “They were overwhelmed. They needed somewhere to feel safe, not shamed.”
Drawing on trauma-informed practice and co-regulation strategies, Mia co-designed the Calm Corner with her preschoolers. Together, they chose textures, colours, and comfort items — a weighted pillow, a feelings wheel, a photo of their class pet. It wasn’t just a space; it was a co-created sanctuary.
Co-Regulation in Action
The Calm Corner wasn’t a timeout zone. It was a tune-in zone. When a child felt dysregulated, Mia would gently guide them to the space, sit nearby, and model breathing or narrate feelings:
“Your body looks like it’s having a big feeling. I’m here with you. Let’s find calm together.”
Over time, children began initiating their own visits. They’d say, “I need the calm corner,” or “I’m choosing to breathe.” Emotional literacy blossomed. Peer empathy grew. Even families began replicating the space at home.
Child Voice and Agency
One day, a four-year-old named Leo placed a drawing in the Calm Corner. It showed a storm cloud and a sun.
“This is how I feel sometimes,” he said. “Stormy first, sunny after.”
Mia added it to the wall, and soon other children contributed their own emotional metaphors — a visual chorus of self-awareness.
The Ripple Effect
The Calm Corner didn’t just support children. It transformed the culture of the room. Educators began using it during team check-ins. Parents reported calmer bedtimes. And Mia She felt more connected to her purpose than ever.
“We’re not just teaching ABCs,” she said. “We’re teaching children how to be with themselves — and with others — in the hardest moments. That’s emotional architecture.”
Further Reading
Calm Down Box For Children
Practical Hacks For Educators
De-escalation Strategies For Managing Toddler's Behaviour
30 Emotional Regulation Activities For Toddlers and Preschoolers
Strategies To Support The Mental Health of Toddlers
De-escalation Strategies For Violent Behavior in Young Children
Self-Talk To Support Self-Regulation
Supporting Children Manage Their Anxiety
Here’s a comprehensive Mobile Phone and Smart Watch Policy tailored for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Australia, aligned with the latest 2025
Across the early childhood education and care sector, educators are sounding the alarm: current staffing ratios are insufficient to deliver safe, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate
Thanks to the new National Model Code and upcoming regulatory changes under the National Quality Framework (NQF), early childhood services across Australia must now implement
In the quiet hum of a weekday morning, something felt off. Preschool doors opened, but classrooms remained silent. No greetings. No redirection. No educators. And
A: In early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings across Australia, mobile phone use by educators is now subject to strict national reforms aimed at
The end of the year is a busy and emotional time in early childhood services. Many services close for a short period over Christmas, and
In early childhood education and care, child safety is not just a number—it’s a practice. While educator-to-child ratios are essential, they are only one part
Being an educator is both rewarding and demanding. Between planning, documentation, room management, and supporting children’s wellbeing, the workload can feel overwhelming. That’s why practical
A: Something as simple as a child asking to braid an educator’s hair—or children braiding each other’s can spark important questions about connection, trust, and
Here's a comprehensive, sector-responsive policy and procedure framework for the safe use of digital technologies—including CCTV—tailored for early childhood education settings. It balances child safety,
