A calm corner is a great addition for any household! As Occupational Therapists, we often work with children who may experience ‘sensory overload’ that is, where a child is bombarded with sensory demands from the environment (sights, sounds, touch), leading to a physical and emotional sense of overwhelm. Or we often hear “my child is does well at school and kinder, but when they get home it’s like an emotional volcano!”.

The idea of a sensory calm corner is to support a child to associate the space as a place where they feel safe, supported and calm. Importantly, this is not only for moments of overwhelm or big emotion, it can be accessed when a child is feeling okay, or just needs a moment to re-centre.

Step 1: Find a space in your home that is hidden away from the noisier rooms such as the kitchen/living areas. This space ideally has dimmer lighting and is away from visual clutter or electronics.

Step 2: Create sensory blackout! Create a mini cubby house with a pop-up tent or a dark coloured blanket draped over a table. Provide dim lighting or natural lighting. This limits visual processing demands, blue lighting and creates a cosy hideout feel.

Step 3: Fill with soft textures such as bean bags, soft toys, weighted blankets/toys, cushions, doona’s or blankets! Providing deep pressure and touch sensation to a child’s body, such as the sensation of being swaddled, provides calming sensory input.

Step 4: Have options for calming activities such as reading, listening to music, a favorite fidget toy or massage toy, or respiration toys such as bubble buckets. This supports a child to be occupied by supportive sensory activities. Respiration toys such as bubble buckets, balloon animals or magic ball pipes support a child to slow their breathing.

Step 5: No technology! The purpose of a calm corner is to promote and support a child to learn to self-regulate!

It is important for a child to have frequent moments of calm in their day to avoid a ‘Volcano’ build up!

• Access the space for 10 minutes before school. After the rush of getting ready!
• Access the space immediately after school
• After bath time before bed

Written by Laura Taylor, Occupational Therapist