One of the most popular techniques used in classrooms – and homes now is a cool down box. So today I’m sharing some tips for how to make a calm down box – whether it’s for your students, or your child at home. It can be really overwhelming when you type that question into Google because there are so many different things you can use with a cool down box.. And sometimes it’s the overwhelm that stops us starting something!
So in this blog post, I’m going to be making this a real simple read. I’ll give you quick action steps as well as some helpful links. This will make putting together a cool down box so much easier and less stressful for you too. Or if you’re looking to delegate the task of putting it together to a member of your classroom team – just send them this blog post link!
What’s a Calm Down Box?
Ok, before we start. What is a cool down box?
In the simplest terms – it’s literally a box that is put together to help enable our students independently calm themselves down. For many of our students, they generally prefer to be left alone when they need time to cool down. And sometimes having too much support from staff or adults can make things worse for them. Having a cool down box means that you are giving your students the opportunity for some time and space alone.. or with company if they want it.. and to be able to use the tools in their box to help calm themselves down.
What’s It Look Like?
It can look like anything you want it to. You can put it in a box.. Or a a big circular tub. You could have a toy box repurposed to use as the cool down box. I generally tend to leave what it’s going to look like until I’ve put together a list of what I want included.. Then I know how big the storage item needs to be, where it’s going to go, and then I set off on my mission to find it!
Who Is It For?
A cool down box can be used for anyone. You can use it with your special education students, or you can even use it in a general education classroom with students. Every student can have a bad day, or need some time where they need to cool down. Look at your individual students, and your classroom as a whole. What would they benefit from? Who would benefit from it? Probably everyone.
What Can I Include?
Anything that you feel will help your students be able to calm themselves down. Every student is different, and that means that generally they’re going to prefer different things when they need to calm down. But, I’ve put together a generic list which I’m including in this blog post today so that you can get an idea of where to start.
- How to calm down visuals. (Download this free here)
- Calming strategies social narrative. (Download it here)
- Feelings symbol flashcards. (Download it here)
- Bubbles.
- Chew toy.
- Weighted cushion, blanket or toy.
- Resistance bands.
- Pop up tent.
- Cancelling headphones – or ear muffs.
- MP3 player and headphones – relaxing music. Audiobooks and nursery rhymes can be helpful too.
- Sensory bottle.
- Sand timers.
- Stress ball.
- Eye mask.
- Scrap paper / tissue paper – use to rip, cut up, scrunch up etc.
- Light up sensory toys.
- Massagers.
- Fabric scarves.
- Mirrors.
- Body sock.
- Wiggle cushion.
You can also include snacks and drinks here. But it generally depends on your students. If you think providing snacks will be too distracting and enticing for students, don’t use them here.
Using the Calm Down Box
It’s best to have this set up with other staff members before you put the calm down box into action in your classroom. When is it appropriate for students to be able to access the calm down box? Will you have more than one box just incase? Where will students go to use the calm down box?
All of these are important details to get figured out at first so that everyone is on the same page. Consistency is key to having a successful and positive classroom environment. Once these are worked out, then you can introduce the box to your students.
Some educators find it helpful to sit down with the cool down box during a morning meeting session to introduce it. Talk about when to use it. Who can use it.. How can they access it? And to generally let them know that the calm down box is there to help them calm themselves down and self-regulate and that anyone can use it. If your students can’t verbally request the box – provide ways that they can request it. Is there a sign that students can use to ask for it? Is it in view for students to point to? What about providing visuals that they can use to request it?
Steps to Create
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I don’t like to overwhelm anyone. So, after digesting all the information in this blog post today.. I’m giving you some simple steps to create your calm down box.
- Sit down with your classroom team and discuss your students. What are their likes and dislikes when it comes to calming down?
- Talk to your students about the calm down box if appropriate. What would they like included? You can also speak to families at home about this too, and see if students have a preference they use at home. Or if you are a family member – write into school and ask them.
- Make a list of the things you want to include in the calm down box.
- If you have an overly big list – try to make a ‘top 10’ list to start. You don’t want to overwhelm by providing too many options. Or split them into different calm down boxes.
- Get hold of resources. Buy them. Reach out to others to help donate if they have anything available. Set up an Amazon wish list.
- Once you have all of the resources, now look at storage options.
- Share the finished calm down box with your team. Discuss how it is going to be used, when, where, by who etc.
- Now you can share the calm down box with your students.
I hope you found this blog post today helpful about how to make a calm down box. Do you use one with your students? Or at home with your child? Or maybe you have more questions? If so, feel free to leave a comment down below. Don’t forget to share this bog post with your friends and colleagues on social media too.
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