In many homes, it is common for children to experience moments of stress, frustration or even anger, both with their parents and with their siblings. These feelings can trigger conflicts that, if not properly managed, affect family coexistence. In addition, we do not always know how to give them the necessary tools to learn to regulate their emotions or to resolve disputes in a healthy way.
CREATING SPACES FOR EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT
This is where the calm corner and the conflict corner can be of great help. At Casvi Boadilla school we have these two spaces in our preschool in Madrid. And although they are educational tools that are often used in the classroom, having them at home, can be equally effective for emotional management and conflict resolution in the family environment.
The corner of calm
It is a small refuge where your child can retreat to when overwhelmed by intense emotion. It’s not just about getting away from the conflict, but having a place where you can calm down and reflect. This corner should be a cozy space, with materials that help you relax:
– Books
– Pillows or stuffed animals
– Sensory games
It is important that the child feels comfortable and safe in this space, knowing that he/she has a place where he/she can reconnect with him/herself.
The conflict corner
This is a space that can be used when disputes or disagreements arise in the home. This corner does not consist of isolating the children or “punishing” them, but rather helping them to focus their energy on resolving the conflict in a constructive way. In this way, both children can be encouraged to sit in this corner and use resources such as:
– Drawings
– Role playing
– Even stories that help them find peaceful solutions.
The idea is that they learn to express their feelings verbally, without resorting to shouting or aggressiveness.
HOW TO INTEGRATE EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT INTO THE FAMILY ROUTINE?
For these spaces to be really effective, it is important to integrate them naturally into the daily routine of your home. Here are some ideas on how to do it:
- Make it part of the routine: Talk to your children about the corners, explain their purpose and when it’s appropriate to use them. You can have a little goodbye “ceremony” when they head to their Calm Down Corner, or celebrate each time they manage to resolve a conflict on their own.
- Encourages autonomy: As your child learns to recognize their emotions, they can begin to go to the Calm Down Corner on their own initiative. This gives them a sense of control and self-management.
- Use conflicts as learning opportunities: Disagreements between siblings are inevitable, but if you use them as an opportunity to teach them to negotiate and find solutions, the Conflict Corner can be very valuable.
IMPROVING FAMILY WELLBEING WITH SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE TOOLS
Implementing these corners at home not only helps your children manage their emotions and conflicts more effectively, but also contributes to a more relaxed and harmonious family environment. By teaching them to manage their emotions, to recognize when they need space to calm down and to resolve disagreements respectfully, you will be fostering skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
In our Casvi Boadilla school we know the importance of emotional education and how it can transform family and school dynamics. If you want to know more about how we apply these methods in our educational approach, click here to learn more.
