How to Use a Mini Safe Place in the Playroom

Accidents, intrusions and upsets can happen everywhere, making a mini Safe Place a helpful tool for the playroom. The children’s primary Safe Places are in their bedrooms; however, the playroom also has a variety of active calming tools stowed away in a basket. This mini Safe Place will provide an area for children to self-regulate by changing their inner state from upset to composed.

A simple basket or bin with Safe Place tools like the Safe Place Breathing Icons (available for download in the Free Resources Toolkit), Safe Place Mat, I Can Calm Book, I Choose Self-Control Board, a Stress S.T.A.R. and other materials provide helpful calming options.

Encourage children to use the Safe Place by modeling active calming yourself and helping children to do the same when they’re triggered by an upset. The phrase, “You’re safe. Breathe with me. You can handle this,” is the cornerstone of your Safe Place practices. As with any interaction, your intention will impact how children receive the message. Saying, “Take a breath,” in a frustrated tone of voice will have a completely different outcome than saying, “Breathe with me,” in a tone that sees the child as capable and carries the intent of helping her self-regulate.