Creating Quiet Among the Chaos

Back to school is a busy time of year for families and it can be difficult to get back into the rhythm of a constantly moving routine. Children in foster care often must overcome the additional barriers of entering a new school while living in an unfamiliar home, school and community. This can cause anxiety, sadness and fear, often creating extra trauma and chaos that needs to be navigated.

One tool that can be helpful is to create a quiet space for the child to enjoy. A designated area set aside in the home allows a child space to refresh mind and body, which is especially important for children who have sensory needs, mental health needs or no longer nap. A quiet space provides a break from stimulation and teaches the child a new coping mechanism in managing stress and other big feelings.

Below are some ideas for creating this valuable tool. If you are supporting a foster family through the back-to-school season, consider planning and establishing areas in both of your homes!

• Choose an area of the home away from busy family activities. Include the child in choosing, building and decorating the space. Consider using blankets, pillows, boxes, tents or other structures to create a cozy and secluded space. Engage the child in coming up with a name for the quiet area.​

• Build the quiet space around the child’s interests. You can fill the space with favorite books, puzzles, coloring sheets, playdough, fidgets or other activities. If the child is interested in music, consider headphones or a device with calming music without lyrics.
• Include sensory toys that help promote self-regulation. The Autism Community Store is a great resource for finding various items for purchase. 
• Keep voices and lighting low in the child’s quiet space. Use simple language and if the child is starting to show inappropriate behavior, calmly say, ‘This seems like a good time to visit your quiet space.’ Eventually a child may learn to understand their anxiety triggers and request time in their space independently.
• Teach the child how to care for the space and use the items in it appropriately. Explain that this is the child’s special space so, the child should keep it well looked after, and clean up when finished playing so it is always ready for next time.