DESIRES: Managing Calm in Meltdown

Creating a calm space for your child can be an effective way to help them self-regulate and find comfort during overwhelming moments. Meltdowns come with brain injury territory. Being prepared as a caregiver helps. The best laid plans sometimes fall apart and in that case – Caregivers use these areas for YOURSELF!

Here are some creative ideas to set up a calming environment:

1. Comfort Corners

Designate a specific area in your home as a “Comfort Corner.” Fill it with:

• Bean Bag Chairs: Soft and inviting, these provide a cozy spot to relax.
• Soft Blankets: Use old quilts or soft throws for comfort.
• Calming Sounds: Include headphones or a speaker for soothing music or nature sounds.
• Dark Sunglasses: These can help reduce sensory overload from bright lights.

2. Indoor Tents or Caves

Create a cozy hideaway using:

• Tents or Teepees: Set up a small tent filled with pillows and blankets.
• Large Appliance Boxes: Turn a box on its side and fill it with soft cushions for a makeshift cave.
• Dim Lighting: Use fairy lights or a small lamp with a soft glow to create a calming atmosphere.

3. Sensory Play Areas

Incorporate sensory activities that can help your child calm down:

• Playdough: Provide different colors and tools for creative, tactile play.
• Sand or Water Play: Set up a small sensory bin with sand or water for calming exploration.
• Bubble Wrap: Allow your child to pop bubbles slowly to engage their senses and relieve stress.
• Sensory Items: Include sensory objects such as fidget poppers, sensory bottles, and toys that glow. These can engage the senses and help divert attention from overwhelming emotions.

4. Reading Nook

Create a cozy reading area with:

• Soft Pillows and Blankets: Make it inviting for quiet reading time.
• A Variety of Books: Include different genres and themes to cater to your child’s interests.
• Low Lighting: Use natural light or a soft lamp to enhance the calming effect.

5. Art and Creativity Station

Encourage expression through art:

• Coloring Books and Drawing Materials: Provide a range of coloring pages, crayons, and markers.
• Craft Supplies: Include materials for simple crafts that can be done quietly.

6. Mindfulness and Relaxation Tools

Incorporate calming techniques:

• Breathing Exercises: Use visual aids or cards to guide your child through deep breathing.
• Calm Down Jars: Create a jar filled with glitter and water that your child can shake and watch settle as a calming activity.
• Hammock or Enclosed Swing in house

7. Personalized Sensory Baskets

Tailor sensory experiences to your child’s preferences:

• Individual Baskets: Create sensory baskets for each child with items they enjoy—like stress balls, fidget toys, or textured fabrics.
• Interchangeable Tools: Allow your child to choose different calming tools from their basket when they need to self-soothe.

8. Routine and Consistency

Establish a calming routine:

• Daily Rituals: Spend a few minutes each day in the calming space to reinforce its use.
• Modeling Behavior: Show your child how to use the calming space during moments of stress or big emotions.
• Movement Activities: Incorporate movement-based activities like stretches, postures and poses, dancing, or using a small trampoline. These activities can help regulate emotions and calm the central nervous system.

By implementing these creative ideas, you can help your child find comfort and calmness during challenging times, fostering a positive environment for emotional regulation and self-soothing.

INDOOR IDEAS

Creating themed calm down corners can make the space more engaging and appealing to children, helping them feel more comfortable and motivated to use it. Here are some creative themes for a calm down corner: These activities and elements can help create a calm and inviting space where children can self-regulate and find peace during stressful moments

1. Nature Retreat

• Decor: Use green and earth tones, with plants (real or artificial), nature-themed wall art, and soft nature sounds.
• Sensory Items: Include smooth stones, pinecones, leaves, and a small water feature or fountain for soothing sounds.
• Activities: Provide nature-themed coloring books, binoculars for birdwatching, and a nature journal for drawing or writing.

2. Under the Sea

• Decor: Use blue and aqua colors with ocean-themed decorations like fish, shells, and waves.
• Sensory Items: Include sensory bottles filled with blue water and glitter, sea creature stuffies and plushies, and sand for tactile play.
• Activities: Provide ocean-themed puzzles, coloring pages, and a small aquarium with fish (real or toy).

3. Cozy Reading Nook

• Decor: Use soft pillows, blankets, and a small bookshelf filled with a variety of books.
• Sensory Items: Include soft stuffed animals, a reading light, and calming scents like lavender or chamomile.
• Activities: Provide a selection of books, a cozy blanket fort, and a quiet space for storytelling or quiet reading.

4. Space Odyssey

• Decor: Use dark blue or black with stars and planets. Glow-in-the-dark stars can be added to the ceiling.
• Sensory Items: Include a star projector, space-themed plushies, and sensory bottles with glitter and stars.
• Activities: Provide space-themed coloring books, puzzles, and a telescope for stargazing (if possible).

5. Art Studio

• Decor: Use bright colors and art supplies as decor. Hang up children’s artwork to personalize the space.
• Sensory Items: Include various art supplies like crayons, markers, paint, and clay.
• Activities: Provide sketchbooks, coloring books, and guided art projects that promote creativity and expression.

6. Zen Garden

• Decor: Use calming colors like soft greens and whites, with minimalistic decor and natural elements.
• Sensory Items: Include sand for a mini zen garden, small rakes, and smooth stones for tactile exploration.
• Activities: Provide guided meditation cards, breathing exercises, and calming music options.

7. Fairy Tale Land

• Decor: Use whimsical decorations like fairy lights, soft colors, and storybook characters.
• Sensory Items: Include plush fairy tale characters, storybooks, and magical sensory bottles with glitter.
• Activities: Provide fairy tale-themed puzzles, coloring books, and opportunities for imaginative play.

8. Adventure Zone

• Decor: Use bright colors and adventure-themed decor like maps, compasses, and explorer gear.
• Sensory Items: Include binoculars, a small globe, and textured items like ropes or fabric swatches.
• Activities: Provide adventure-themed books, scavenger hunt lists, and exploration journals for documenting findings.

By creating themed indoor calm down corners, you can make the space more inviting and engaging for children, encouraging them to use it as a resource for self-regulation and relaxation.

Make sure you also have soothing placing in your outdoor spaces:

Creating an outdoor calming corner for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) can provide a soothing and therapeutic environment. We created some “GET OUTTA DODGE SPACES” when flight was needed but staying in the yard was mandatory.

Here are some creative ideas for setting up such a space:

1. Nature Retreat

• Seating: Use benches or chairs surrounded by greenery to create a peaceful seating area. Consider using natural materials like wood or stone for a more organic feel. Offer hammocks and diverse swings from tree branches.
• Gardens: Incorporate a small garden or sensory plants like lavender, mint, or rosemary. These can provide calming scents and textures for sensory exploration.
• Water Features: Add a small fountain or birdbath to introduce soothing water sounds, which can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

2. Sensory Pathways

• Textures and Materials: Create pathways with different textures such as sand, pebbles, or grass. Walking barefoot on these surfaces can provide grounding sensory input.
• Visual Elements: Use colorful stones or tiles to create patterns or mosaics along the path, offering visual stimulation and interest.

3. Quiet Zones

• Enclosed Spaces: Use trellises or arches with climbing plants to create semi-enclosed areas that offer privacy and a sense of security.
• Tents or Teepees: Set up outdoor tents or teepees with soft cushions inside, providing a cozy retreat for quiet time.

4. Swings and Hammocks

• Sensory Swings: Install a hammock or swing attached to a sturdy tree. The gentle rocking motion can be calming and help with self-regulation.
• Platform Swings: Consider a platform swing that allows for gentle movement and can accommodate more than one person, encouraging social interaction.

5. Natural Soundscapes

• Wind Chimes: Hang wind chimes in the area to create gentle, melodic sounds that can help mask distracting noises.
• Birdhouses and Feeders: Attract birds to the area with feeders, providing natural sounds and opportunities for observation.

6. Art and Creativity Stations

• Outdoor Easels: Set up easels with weatherproof materials for painting or drawing, allowing for creative expression in a natural setting.
• Chalkboards: Use outdoor chalkboards for drawing or writing, which can be a calming and expressive activity.

7. Prayer Retreat Area, Mindfulness and Relaxation

• Meditation Spots: Designate a quiet area with comfortable seating for meditation or mindfulness exercises.
• Yoga Mats: Provide yoga mats for stretching or practicing yoga poses, which can help with relaxation and focus.

8. Lighting and Ambiance

• Solar Lights: Use solar-powered lights to softly illuminate the area in the evening, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
• Lanterns: Hang lanterns or fairy lights to add a magical touch to the space, making it appealing for both day and night use.

By incorporating these elements, you can create an outdoor calming corner that leverages the therapeutic benefits of nature, providing a safe and soothing environment for individuals with FASD to relax and recharge.