Practical educator topic

Calm and quiet spaces

A calm space is not simply somewhere we send a child once they are overwhelmed. The environment itself can help reduce demands, noise, visual stimulation and social pressure before regulation becomes difficult. Sometimes the most useful spaces are small, familiar and simple rather than expensive sensory rooms or beautifully styled corners.

Something to think about

Does your calm space actually help children regulate?

Think about who uses the space, when they use it and what happens when they get there. Are children choosing it themselves, or only being directed there once they are distressed? Is the space genuinely quieter and less demanding? Does an educator stay nearby when connection is needed? Notice what children are showing you about the environment rather than simply whether the calm corner looks inviting.

Practical resource

Developmentally Appropriate Spaces

A practical resource to help educators think about how early childhood spaces can support children's movement, regulation, participation and development.

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Ready to share with families

Children are affected by the spaces around them. Simple changes to an environment can make it easier for children to move, regulate, play, concentrate and participate. This might mean creating a quieter place to retreat, reducing visual clutter, allowing more room for movement, or making everyday materials easier for children to access independently. Small environmental changes can make a big difference to how a child experiences their day.

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