How one school created "pockets of calm" - and how you can too.

I wanted to share something really inspiring that I experienced this week. I was visiting a secondary school and they gave me a tour of their sensory rooms, and honestly, I was just blown away.

These sensory rooms are calm, comforting spaces where young people can go, when they're feeling worried, sad, overwhelmed, or angry. The idea is to help them regulate their emotions using sensory tools and sensory experiences.

So the moment I stepped inside these rooms, I just instantly felt myself relax. The lighting was soft and soothing. There were lava lamps, bubble tubes, and strands of glowing fiber optics that you could gently touch.

There were opportunities for movement, like a balance bean and a mini trampoline, just perfect for kids who need to release energy before they can calm down. And there were tactile experiences everywhere. So there were fidget toys, there were soft textures, and even coloured uncooked pasta mixed with tiny Christmas themed toys for children to sift through. There were scents to smell, calming music to listen to, and my favourite thing -  a rolly poly, furry toy seal that I just had to hug the moment I saw it. And on the walls, there were messages of hope and reassurance reminding students that they were safe, cared for and not alone.

Staff told me how positively students responded to the rooms. Being in the space itself helps them to calm down and over time they learn which tools help them to regulate best.

I am sharing this for three reasons. Firstly, if your child struggles to regulate their emotions at home, you might consider creating a calming corner or a sensory box at home for your young person filled with sensory tools they can use whenever they start to feel overwhelmed. And in my next video, I'll talk more about how to do this.

And secondly, if your child finds school really difficult, just getting through reception may take a huge emotional toll, and it can be incredibly helpful for them to have access to a few minutes of calming sensory activities as soon as they arrive. It's worth having a chat with the school about what might be possible.

And lastly, if you are a teacher or an Elsa, it's worth thinking about where you could build in opportunities for sensory tools throughout the day to support your young people to regulate,

To help get you started, I've put together a list of sensory tools and calming experiences you can use at home or at school. You can download it here. 

Thanks for watching, and I hope this inspires you to create your own little pockets of calm for the young people in your care.