teaching children that they are allowed to walk away and cool off if they are feeling overwhelmed might literally save their life as teens/adults
I am a preschool teacher.
This is my “alone zone.”
At any time of the day, if my kids are feeling stressed, they can go here to cool down. There’s stress toys, silly putty, bubbles, sensory bottles…there’s books and headphones to block out the loud noises.
The only thing they have to do is “check in” by putting their picture on which emotion they’re feeling so I know how I can help them when they’re ready.
Kids. Need. Space.
Kids. Need. Coping. Mechanisms.
Not. Time-outs.
And the sooner we as adults teach them that, the better off they’ll be as they grow.
