Toddlerhood can be a beautiful, wild, and often emotional ride. One minute they’re giggling, the next they’re melting down because their banana broke in half. While many parenting tools focus on managing these emotions after they happen, the Montessori approach takes a different path, one that gently helps toddlers understand, regulate, and take ownership of their feelings over time.
Enter: the calm corner.
More than just a quiet spot, a calm corner is a small, intentional space in your toddler’s environment where they can retreat, reset, and feel safe. It’s not time-out, and it’s not a punishment zone. It’s a child-led space for emotional regulation, reflection, and even rest.
And the best part? It fits seamlessly alongside a Montessori-style bedroom and Sleepy Monkey floor bed setup.
Let’s explore how you can create a simple, nurturing calm corner in your toddler’s room, and why this little addition could make a big difference.
What Is a Calm Corner, and Why Does It Matter?
A calm corner is a designated space in your home or your toddler’s room that encourages emotional regulation. It gives toddlers a quiet, comfortable area to retreat to when they’re feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, tired, or just needing a break.
Rather than being sent away during tricky moments, toddlers learn to recognise their own feelings and are gently guided to make the choice to take a moment, on their terms. Over time, this supports:
- Emotional resilience
- Self-awareness
- Improved focus and behaviour
- A calmer, more connected parent-child dynamic
Why It Belongs in a Montessori Room
The calm corner idea aligns beautifully with Montessori principles:
- Independence – It empowers the child to choose rest or quiet when needed, without waiting for an adult to intervene
- Freedom within limits – The space is child-led but not chaotic, curated for calm, not just another play zone
- Respect for the child – It communicates that their big feelings are valid, and they’re trusted to navigate them with support
In a Montessori-style room, everything is set up to encourage self-direction. Adding a calm corner is a natural next step. It’s a way to care not just for your child’s physical independence but their emotional one too.
Using the Floor Bed as Part of the Calm Zone
Your Sleepy Monkey floor bed already encourages self-settling and independence during sleep, but it can also become part of your toddler’s daytime emotional toolkit.
Here’s how:
- Toddlers can choose to rest or lie down when they need to, without needing to ask
- The floor bed can become a soft spot for quiet time – flicking through books, cuddling a soft toy, or lying quietly with a blanket
- Because it’s low to the ground and fully accessible, it doesn’t need adult permission to use – which reinforces emotional autonomy
Many toddlers naturally begin to associate their bed with calm, especially if you use it consistently for downtime, not just bedtime.
How to Create a Calm Corner: Simple, Toddler-Friendly Ideas
You don’t need a lot of space or fancy equipment. The key is to keep it soft, simple, and safe. Think of it as a retreat – not a playpen, and definitely not a time-out chair.
Here’s what to include:
1. Soft Textures
- A small rug, sheepskin, or folded blanket on the floor
- A couple of cushions or a beanbag
- A soft toddler-sized chair or floor pillow if you prefer structure
2. Calming Visuals
- Warm, soft lighting like a dimmable lamp, salt lamp, or fairy lights
- A few books displayed front-facing on a low shelf
- Neutral or nature-themed artwork – nothing too stimulating
3. Gentle Sensory Items
- A soft toy or comfort object
- A sensory bottle or quiet fidget toy
- A small basket with textured items like a smooth stone, soft fabric, or squishy ball
4. Clear Boundaries
- Keep it separate from the play area – even using a different rug helps signal that it’s a different kind of space
- Let your toddler know: “This is a space for quiet, calm things. You can come here anytime you feel upset, tired, or just want some peace.”
Helping Toddlers Choose Calm, Without Forcing It
The beauty of a calm corner is that it gives your toddler a choice. That said, they may not take to it straight away – and that’s okay.
Here are a few gentle ways to introduce the space:
- Model it yourself – Sit there with a book or cup of tea during the day and say, “I’m just having a little quiet time.”
- Use it preventatively – Invite your child to the space before a meltdown – “Would you like to sit on your cushions with your book for a bit?”
- Stay with them – Early on, join them in the calm corner during emotional moments. Your presence helps them learn how to regulate, not feel isolated
Bonus Tip: Match It to Your Sleepy Monkey Setup
Because your Sleepy Monkey floor bed already promotes freedom and safety, you don’t need to completely rearrange the room – the calm corner can live naturally next to the bed or even partially integrate with it.
Think of:
- Low bookshelves beside the bed
- Toy baskets with calming items nearby
- A soft floor rug that anchors both the bed and calm space in one cohesive zone
Our Sleepy Monkey accessories – from simple storage to child-height decor – are designed to complement the calm, gentle energy you’re creating in the room.
Final Thoughts: A Space That Grows With Your Toddler
The toddler years are full of big emotions and rapid growth. By creating a calm corner in your Montessori-style room, you’re offering more than a soft space – you’re giving your child tools for emotional awareness that can last a lifetime.
And when paired with a floor bed that respects their independence, your toddler learns not only where to sleep, but how to take care of themselves in the moments they need it most.
Explore our collection of Montessori beds and room accessories today, and start building a space where your toddler can rest, reset, and grow with confidence.
