Behind the learning - Episode 3: “The Calm Down Corner” by Ms. Christina

It has been about a month since our new Deedee Deer SEL program was implemented. As mentioned in a previous blog, Zoo-phonics places strong emphasis on SEL (Social Emotional Learning). One important aspect is the Calm Down Corner.

A Calm down Corner is an area in the classroom where children can go to manage “big feelings” such as frustration, anger, or sadness.

When a child is enveloped in these “big feelings,” it is emotionally challenging for them to continue their studies. What is necessary is to pause and reset through breathing techniques introduced in our SEL program. The perfect place to do this is the calm-down corner. Let’s look at how this special corner helps our students.

【1】Identify feelings

Having big feelings in such a small body is overwhelming. Especially when children don’t know what it is. Identifying what they are feeling  aids them in soothing their intensified feelings.

【2】Cope with feelings

Once the feeling is identified, calming strategies (such as breathing) are done to help them settle down. Knowing how to manage their waves of emotion instead of crying out to release frustration is beneficial for the child’s (and the teacher’s) mental state.

【3】Safety

Creating a safe zone= calm down corner, children can decompress. They focus inwardly on themselves without the distraction from their peers.

When the above 3 steps take place, the child will realize whether he is calm enough to return to class. One important point is that the child takes the initiative when to rejoin. Giving the child space and proper time to digest is the key.

As psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Siegel coined

Name it to tame it

Putting a name to the overwhelming feeling moves the energy from the emotional side of the brain to the thinking side.
Once it has a name, it feels smaller and more solvable.

Thank you for reading.