Creating Room for Regulation: How to Establish a Sensory Corner

The start of the school year can often bring feelings of uncertainty or stress for children and families as they adjust to new routines and expectations. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, creating calm, supportive spaces — such as a Sensory Corner — can help children regulate their emotions and feel more prepared to learn.

A Sensory Corner is a dedicated, safe, calming space designed to help students manage sensory overload, process big emotions, and reset their systems. When properly implemented, they can help children learn healthy coping strategies and independent self-regulation. Self-regulation is the ability to monitor and manage your own thoughts, emotions, and actions. These spaces should only be used as a calming break area for children, never as punishment or time-out.

All children have sensory needs. Since we all experience the world differently, each child has sensory needs unique to them. It can take time for each person to find what works best for them, so a well-balanced Sensory Corner should contain activities that appeal to all Six Sensory Systems without becoming overwhelming.

VISUAL (Seeing): Dim lighting, calming photos, looking outside, emotion scale, infinity loop trace, lava lamps, sensory bottles, fish tanks

AUDITORY (Hearing): Noise-cancelling headphones, earplugs, white noise maker, lo-fi music, thick curtains, rugs and blankets to absorb sounds

TACTILE (Touching): Stuffed animals, weighted pillows, pop-its, putty or Play-Doh, sensory bins of dry rice, beans, or kinetic sand, bean bag chairs

OLFACTORY (Smelling): Fresh flowers, scented stickers or markers, jars with cotton balls soaked in essential oils like mint, lavender and rosemary

GUSTATORY (Tasting): Strong mints to soothe the system, sour candy to stop panic/anxiety, warming spices to ease tension, bright citrus to refocus energy

VESTIBULAR (Moving): Items that provide opportunities for rhythmic motion, such as rocking chair, exercise ball, balance board, resistance bands, sensory swings

Just as important as a corner’s contents? Establishing it as an active part of your home or classroom. Have your child share what helps calm them and demonstrate how each tool is used. Be proactive so they are empowered to use the tools when they need them most.

Remember: when a child is overstimulated or in crisis mode, it’s already too late to show them how to regulate.

In addition to including activities appealing to all Six Sensory Systems, here are a few other key elements that will take your space to the next level:

1) It Feels Private and Safe. Children with a trauma history are more likely to mistake neutral faces as aggressive and can have a hard time regulating while making eye contact with others. Create a cozy, semi-enclosed boundary using bookshelves as partial walls, a popup tent, or a blanket draped over cushions.

2) Low-Stress Lighting and Visuals. Harsh fluorescent lighting can trigger or worsen sensory overload. Help reduce stress by adjusting the area’s environment. Soft twinkle lights, paper lanterns, and lava lamps offer children a welcome oasis.

3) Keep Things Visual. When children are dysregulated, they’re less able to understand or follow verbal or written language. Give them visual ways to communicate their current state, like:

• The Feelings Wheel, a categorized visual tool that breaks down six core emotions into more specific, granular sub emotions

• Visual Check-Ins like thermometers or sliders where children can select from a series of faces, colors, or other icons to match their current emotional zone

• Coping Strategies Cards with step-by-step illustrations demonstrating deep-breathing techniques or other calming activities available within the Sensory Corner

4) Make it Lush and Plush. Thick, textured fabrics don’t just ground visitors in a soft and comfortable space — they also help absorb background noise. So load up on floor rugs, pillows, and stuffed animals to create a peaceful, tactile wonderland.

Small changes like this can make a big difference for your child or student. Learn more about Wellpoint Care Network’s Trauma Informed Care and Trauma Sensitive Schools training opportunities and start building environments where every child can thrive.