A calming classroom environment can not only enhance children’s academic learning but also their social and emotional well-being too! Providing students with a safe and calm space to learn, make relationships, and explore their interests is vital to helping them succeed all school year long in and out of the classroom!
This post includes all the best tips for creating (and maintaining) a calming classroom environment for your students and for you! From adding a calming corner to tapping into students’ 5 senses during the day, you will walk away from this post with plenty of new ideas for bringing an element of peace and organization to the classroom chaos that is guaranteed to arise every year.
This post is all about the best tips for creating a calming classroom.
How do you create a calming classroom environment?
In order to create a calming classroom environment, tap into your five senses to tell your students’ bodies (even before their minds) that they are safe and welcome to learn in a calm environment.
As you know, school is about more than just academic learning, it is where kids can practice their social emotional skills too. When you create a calming classroom environment it allows students the space to show up as their best selves and move mindfully throughout the day.
Prioritizing a calming classroom also ensures that you, the teacher, are feeling your best which will rub off onto your students and fellow teachers/staff. How we feel within truly can have an impact on our surroundings!
- Stay consistent with the mindful practices you implement (kids thrive on consistency!)
- Kind of the opposite of the above point, but if you try a mindful practice and it doesn’t fit your classroom, don’t be afraid to adjust.
- Take your own self care seriously throughout the day!
How to Create a Calming Classroom Environment
1. Play nature noises and calming classroom music
Unfortunately, the only real outdoors time students get at school is recess (and that’s only elementary!). Which is upsetting because nature can be so grounding.
Try to bring some of the natural calming tunes nature provides into your classroom by playing music like rain, ocean, bird songs etc. If nature sounds don’t go well for your class you can always opt for calming classroom music.
Calming classroom music ideas:
- Acoustic or piano music
- Lofi music
- Classical music
- Jazz music
- White noise
- Music with a calming video display
2. Use relaxing essential oils
Tap into aromatherapy and set up an essential oil diffuser (just be mindful of allergies).
Depending on what exact mood you want to create in your space you can choose an essential oil to accompany that.
- Lavender=calming
- Lemon= refreshing
- Pepper mint= wake up
- Holiday themed sets= just fun and festive!
I have found that doTerra offers the best essential oils because they are sustainably sourced. Here is more information about their sustainability initiatives.
4. Add greenery to your classroom
Although you already have enough to take care of, why not add a few plants to your to-do list?! Filling your classroom with houseplants helps the space to look more appealing and calm.
You could even add “watering class plants” to the class jobs so your students feel more connected to the plants and responsible for the plant’s well-being.
5. Choose calming classroom decor and opt for a nature-themed classroom
Consider choosing nature-themed decor rather than bright colors for your classroom. Choosing cool colors or even minimal decor can enhance feelings of peace and safety.
Some calming classroom theme ideas:
- Jungle
- Beach
- Forest classroom
- Sunshine classroom theme
- Farm animals/farmhouse
- Cool colors
- Mountain
- As always, Pinterest has tons of ideas too!
I think theming classrooms is most popular for elementary aged students but older kids appreciate beautiful spaces too! It makes the school day a bit less blah.
6. Add pillows/cushions/stuffed animals/rugs to the reading area to create a cozy vibe
Create a comfortable space for when your students will be reading and hanging with other students. Adding soft textures like a calming classroom rug or squishy stuffed animals to snuggle up with while reading can really bring a lot of comfort to students.
Of course, we want our students to excel academically but it is also important to help them fall in love with reading. I don’t know about you but I love curling up with a good book surrounded by cozy pillows and blankets. It is a super relaxing habit and I am grateful I started it when I was younger!
7. Take care of yourself and bring a calm presence to the room
If you want your classroom to be calm, you have to steer the ship and be calm yourself! Of course, there is a lot that is out of your control but remembering to stay centered throughout the day will make an impact on your students and your overall well being!
Of course, there are larger issues within our educational system that makes things more hectic but do what you can to take care of you throughout the day!
Here are some ideas:
- Bring your favorite drinks and snacks to enjoy
- Plan a fun activity for after work that you look forward to (yoga class, walk with friends, movie night with family etc.)
- Prioritize comfy clothes and shoes
- Lean on other teachers and aids for support
- Take alone time during lunch or take a walk outside
{RECCOMENDED POST: 8 Free Eco Friendly Self Care Ideas You Need to Add to Your Wellness Toolkit}
8. Start class with breathing exercises/stretches
Teaching your students how to become aware of their breath is one of the fastest ways to get them to a more mindful state. In this state, they are able to focus better, be more self aware and just feel better overall throughout the day.
Before they dive into learning but after the morning chaos, take some time to teach breathing exercises or seated yoga poses.
Even something as simple as breathing in for a count of three, holding for 2, and breathing out for three is great!
8. Create a calming corner with activities to help kids destress
So I did not come up with calming corners but you may have started to see them pop up in many classrooms-which I love!
Basically, a calming corner is an alternative to time out and also serves as a space for kids to find some peace throughout the ups and downs of their day.
If kids notice that their emotions are feeling big they can retreat to the calming corner and collect themselves. This teaches children how they can help themselves regulate their emotions and look after themselves.
You can fill the calming corner with:
- comfy pillows, stuffed animals, cozy chair
- books about mindfulness
- journaling supplies
- calming/quiet toys etc. (also called sensory toys)
- Stress balls
There are a ton more ideas for calming corners on Pinterest!
9. Sticky note gratitude board
To create a more positive and mindful atmosphere in your classroom consider creating an ongoing gratitude board. This would be really cute during fall/Thanksgiving time but it doesn’t have to be then!
Find a large board (could be repurposed cardboard) and leave a stack of sticky notes next to it. Encourage students to write down what they are grateful for and stick it on the board when they come into class or have downtime.
Having a large board representing the good will remind kids (and adults!) to focus on the good and be thankful for what we do have and what is going right in our lives and school day!
What things can make a calm classroom feel not so calm?
Unfortunately, at the end of the day, some students (and teachers!) can feel sensory overload from a day full of bright lights classrooms contain, too much socializing, and pressure to do well academically, just to name a few things.
Let’s explore a few things to be mindful of when trying to create a calming presence in your classroom:
- Inconsistent classroom management (no clear expectations)
- Bright lights, too many bright colors, overall noise of a busy classroom
- Not having a safe place to regulate the nervous system (such as a calming corner, reset space, etc.)
- Not enough time for independent work
These are just a few examples as every person’s needs are unique but it is just a starting point to notice what may be causing your classroom to feel hectic.
Some of these things are in your control and others are not. Just try your best to do what you can in creating a peaceful classroom environment for your students to thrive in!
Have you done any of these calming classroom tips in your own classroom? Let us know in the comments below! It can help other educators as we all figure out how to support kids’ mental health.
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best tips for maintaining a calming classroom.
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