The Classroom’s Calm [Safe] Space for Anxious Youth: Suggestions from the Literature, Interior Designers, and Debilitated Anxious Youth

Abstract

Anxious youth usually dwell in fear of making mistakes, and thus, flounder in second guessing and procrastination as well as demonstrating a preference for socially withdrawing which deters healthy interpersonal development (Boorady, 2023, April 14; Ehmke, 2023, April 14; Killu, et al., 2016).  In order to assist emotionally overwhelmed students in the classroom, school teachers may dedicate space in the classroom purposed as a “Calm” or “Safe” Space in which students, who suffer emotional deregulation can have privacy in order to refocus and reflect.  Anxious youth who suffer from debilitating anxiety refer to this room as a “Safe” Space which stresses the need for perceiving safety as a priority before facilitating and maintaining self-control.  Although educational websites model classroom-supported spaces which are dedicated for all youth who encounter emotional deregulation, the cozy home-like decor of these spaces was perceived as overstimulating and housing bacteria infestations which served to trigger and escalate anxiety.  This paper will provide information on an effectively designed Calm or Safe Space as determined by debilitated anxious students, an interior designer, and from the literature.