Cozy Centers

Most children can benefit from a quiet space, a cozy corner where they can go when they are sad, when they need down time with a book, or simply need alone time. This is especially true for preschoolers who are learning to control their behaviors and emotions and are more prone to temper tantrums. Some children get irritable and defiant in situations where he/she does not feel in control, during transitions, and when they are tasked with something new. Children can also get overly excitable after engaging in exercise or movement activities and struggle to gain control over themselves in high stimulation situations.

Cozy corner or quiet spaces are a safe "time out" place to go when they feel overwhelmed and overloaded by the sensory input from the immediate environment. Classrooms can quickly become noisy and overwhelming, leading to inappropriate and challenging behavior by children. A quiet space can help a child escape when it all gets too much to cope with. Here, children can regain control during high‑stress situations and can help redirect themselves to a calm, focused activity.

The most obvious benefit of having a quiet zone is helping students learn to manage emotions. When students recognize something isn't right, they can comfort themselves using the cozy center. Also, a quiet zone helps students control their behavior and emotions rather than acting out during class.