0mo–11mo10 minQuiet timeRestFamily time
Cosy Calm Corner
A simple environment-and-routine activity where you create a cosy, quiet ‘calm place’ and practise using it as a predictable reset for your child, reducing stimulation and supporting early co-regulation.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a quiet corner or low-traffic spot
- soft items you already have (blanket, cushions, folded towel)
- a safe place to sit with your child (chair/sofa/floor mat)
Nice to have
- a soft toy or comfort cloth (if your child uses one)
- a dimmable lamp or indirect light (optional)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
What it practices
- Is comforted by touch and people’s faces and voices.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Seeks physical and emotional comfort by snuggling in to trusted adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Calms from being upset when held, rocked, spoken or sung to with soothing voice.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Have a cosy, quiet place for babies to be calm.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)