Creating a Space for Your Child to Cool Down or Retreat

When kids get over stimulated, their stress response can be fight or flight. Creating a space for your child who goes into fight can help protect your child while allowing them to decompose. Creating a space for your child who goes into flight, allows your child to run to an area you are aware of to calm down. It is a great asset to add to any house. Having a space is also a great idea for teachers to use in a classroom to keep runners who are going into flight mode from leaving. If you are not a craft person or do not have much room, you can buy a pop up tent to use as this space or hang a curtain in a corner. If you are crafty or enjoy home-made projects, here are some ideas for you!

We call our space at our house the “kid cave”; however, I have seen people call the space a “cozy cove” (looks like a house) or a “space rocket” (looks like a space shuttle).  You can make your child’s space one of two ways:

1.     Two or more large cardboard boxes taped one on top of the other. Cut a large opening for the door (either a double swinging doors or a semi-oval) and a small openings for windows.) Paint and finish decorating depending upon the look you are going for.

 

2.     Take a new extra large trash can (without wheels and turn it upside down). Cut a semi-oval out for a door. This is best for kids that are rough and prefer dark.

 

Once you have created your space for your child, add throw pillows and blankets to make it more comfortable. You can also add some sensory objects as well. One great sensory object you can add to the inside is different textured fabric on the indoor walls. Happy crafting!