Lesson Plan
Calm Corner Setup Guide
Students will explore and practice calming strategies using sensory tools and reflection, fostering emotional awareness and self-regulation in a dedicated calm space.
Developing early self-regulation skills helps Pre-K children recognize and manage their emotions, improving classroom engagement and emotional security.
Audience
Pre-K Small Group
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Hands-on guided exploration
Materials
Soothing Space Slides, Sensory Bottles (one per student), Glitter, water, and food coloring, Funnels or measuring cups, Sensory Bottle Creation, My Calm Corner Feelings Journal, Self-Regulation Progress Rubric, Cushions or soft mats, Weighted lap pads or stress balls, and Visual emotion cards
Prep
Prepare Calm Corner & Materials
10 minutes
- Arrange a quiet corner with cushions, soft mats, weighted lap pads, and stress balls
- Place visual emotion cards and My Calm Corner Feelings Journal within reach
- Load Soothing Space Slides onto the display device
- Gather sensory bottles, glitter, water, food coloring, and funnels or measuring cups
- Review the steps in Sensory Bottle Creation and the Self-Regulation Progress Rubric
Step 1
Welcome & Emotion Check-In
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle near the calm corner
- Show visual emotion cards and invite each child to name their feeling
- Introduce the calm corner as a safe space to feel calm and secure
Step 2
Sensory Bottle Creation
7 minutes
- Explain sensory bottles as a calming tool
- Guide students to fill bottles with water, glitter, and color using funnels
- Encourage shaking and observing glitter movement
- Ask: “How do you feel when you watch the swirling glitter?”
Step 3
Feelings Journal Reflection
5 minutes
- Hand out My Calm Corner Feelings Journal
- Invite children to draw how they felt before and after using their bottle
- Offer one-on-one support to discuss their drawings
Step 4
Review & Progress Check
3 minutes
- Use the Self-Regulation Progress Rubric to rate calmness levels
- Provide positive feedback for effort and strategy use
- Remind students the calm corner is always available when upset
Slide Deck
Welcome to the Calm Corner
A special place just for you to feel calm and happy.
Welcome students! Today we’re introducing our special calm corner, a cozy place to feel safe and calm whenever we need.
How Are You Feeling?
Point to the face that shows how you feel today.
Hold up the emotion cards and ask each child to point to or name how they feel. Encourage them to share if they’d like.
What Is the Calm Corner?
A cozy spot with cushions, soft mats, and calm tools just for you.
Explain that the calm corner is a quiet, cozy spot in the room. Show photos or visuals of cushions and sensory tools.
Meet Our Calming Tools
• Sensory Bottles • Weighted Lap Pads • Stress Balls
Briefly show or pass around each tool. Describe how sensory bottles, lap pads, and stress balls can help us feel grounded.
Make Your Own Sensory Bottle
Fill with water, glitter, and color. Shake and watch the magic.
Guide students step-by-step. Demonstrate spooning in glitter, adding water, and sealing the bottle. Encourage them to watch the glitter swirl.
Drawing Our Feelings
Draw how you felt before and after using your bottle.
Invite children to draw and share their feelings. Remind them there’s no right or wrong picture—this is about how they feel.
Remember, You Are Safe Here
Use the calm corner whenever you need a break or feel upset.
Reassure students that the calm corner is always open. Encourage them to use it whenever they need a quiet moment.
Activity
Sensory Bottle Creation Activity
Objective: Students will create their own sensory bottles to observe how movement and color can help them feel calm.
Time: 7 minutes
Materials:
- Empty plastic bottles with secure lids (one per student)
- Water
- Glitter in various colors
- Food coloring (a drop or two per bottle)
- Funnels or small measuring cups
- Tape or hot glue (to seal lids safely)
Instructions:
- Set Up Your Bottle:
- Place a funnel or measuring cup at the top of your empty bottle.
- Add Water:
- Pour water into the bottle until it’s about three-quarters full.
- Teacher Prompt: “How much water did you add? Let’s count together!”
- Choose and Add Color:
- Add one or two drops of food coloring.
- Question for Students: “What color did you pick? Why?”
- Add one or two drops of food coloring.
- Sprinkle Glitter:
- Scoop in a spoonful of glitter using your funnel.
- Observation Prompt: “Watch the glitter—what shapes do you see as it falls?”
- Fill to the Top:
- Add more water so the bottle is nearly full, leaving a small air pocket.
- Seal the Bottle:
- Place the lid on tightly. Ask an adult to tape or hot-glue the lid for safety.
- Safety Reminder: “We keep the lid on tight so water and glitter stay inside!”
- Shake & Observe:
- Shake your bottle gently and watch the glitter swirl and settle.
- Reflection Question: “How do you feel when you watch the glitter move?”
Student Work Space:
Draw or tell us how your glitter moved inside your bottle and how it made you feel.
Journal
My Calm Corner Feelings Journal
Page 1: Before Calm Corner
How do I feel right now?
Draw a picture or color to show how you feel before you use the calm corner.
Page 2: After Calm Corner
How do I feel now?
Draw a picture or color to show how you feel after using the calm corner.
Page 3: My Favorite Calm Tool
Which calm corner tool helped me the most?
- Draw the tool or color its picture:
Rubric
Self-Regulation Progress Rubric
Use this rubric to rate each child’s self-regulation skills after visiting the calm corner. Circle the icon that best describes their performance.
| Criteria | 😞 Beginning (1) | 😐 Developing (2) | 😊 Proficient (3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emotion Recognition | Needs help naming feelings; rarely points to cards. | Sometimes names how they feel with adult support. | Names feelings on their own. |
| Strategy Use | Does not reach for calm tools, even with prompts. | Uses tools when reminded by an adult. | Chooses and uses a calm tool independently when upset. |
| Calm Behavior | Remains upset; continues to cry or fuss. | Calms down after encouragement and guidance. | Settles quickly and stays calm with little to no support. |
Teacher Notes:
- Circle the icon under each criterion.
- Use results to guide next steps and praise progress.