Regulation Rendezvous-- Mini Calming Sensory Rooms

We are so excited to see how many schools are prioritizing their student's sensory needs by providing a calming sensory space for students to use proactively to maintain regulation and when they are feeling overstimulated. Often it can be difficult to dedicate an entire classroom to creating a calming room so teams get creative with using storage space, closets, offices or divided rooms. Today's Regulation Rendezvous is dedicated to all the creative spaces we have seen for Mini Calming Sensory Rooms.

Parkwood Elementary, Beavercreek
We love how this space is located at the end of a hallway so it is not surrounded by a lot of extra school stimuli. The name "Cozy Cove" is great and sets the ton for a calming space. This space not only provides a place for students to go for breaks that are scheduled and as needed but also houses additional supports such as weighted vests and visual timers that can be used to support students in other environments.

Angela Crum

Beavertown Elementary, Kettering
What a great space! We love the dimmed lighting using curtains, bubble tubes, and lamps. The floor is cushioned with additional rugs and students have seating options such as a rocker or beanbag. A radio is also available for calming music.

Smith Middle School, Vandalia
Using mats to cover the walls helps to limit auditory clutter from surrounding classrooms. There are lots of comfy seating options and when the lights are out students can turn on a nice, relaxing light show projector.

Jennifer McGowan

Helke Elementary, Vandalia
Wall padding is used in this room to help with auditory clutter and to keep students safe on the swing. We love how they have created a two-point suspension system for the swing to promote calming, linear movement when swinging. The tent is also a great small space for students who crave additonal boundaries within the small space.

 If you are looking at creating a larger space, we have featured several rooms that also offer some wonderful examples:

Stevenson Elementary, Mad River

Smith Elementary, Oakwood

Snyder Park & Perrin Woods Elementaries, Springfield

Rosa Parks & Bell Haven Elementaries, Dayton