I've heard about the Calm or Refocus rooms. Some work. But some don’t. How do I ensure mine does?

Are your classroom refocus rooms actually helping students, or are they just a temporary fix for behaviors? In this episode of Quick Bites, Ginger Lewman and Eric Nachtigal from the ESSDACK Resilience Team dive into the science and intentionality required to make calm spaces truly effective.Why Some Refocus Rooms FailMany interventions are considered "late" because they address the behavior (the top of the iceberg) rather than the underlying unmet need or unsolved problem. To move beyond just responding to behavior, educators must focus on solving problems with the student rather than for them.The Brain Science of RegulationDrawing on the research of Dr. Bruce Perry and Dr. Ross Greene, this video outlines the essential steps to help a student move from their "downstairs brain" back to their "upstairs brain" where learning can happen.Key Takeaways for Teachers:Give Time to Regulate: When a student enters a refocus room, avoid immediate questioning. Allow them time to use tools like music or drawing to calm down first.Prioritize Co-Regulation: The supervising adult must remain regulated themselves to help the student find calm through proximity and shared breathing.Follow the Sequence: Use Dr. Bruce Perry's model: Regulate, Relate, and Reason. You cannot reason with a student until they are regulated and feel safe.Repair and Restore: Use restorative questions to discuss how to repair harm to the classroom community before the student rejoins the class.Prepare the Receiving Teacher: Success depends on the mindset of the staff member accepting the student back. A welcoming, regulated reception is critical for long-term change.Resources Mentioned:The Kids Who Aren’t Okay by Dr. Ross GreeneThe work of Dr. Bruce Perry on brain-based regulationThe book by Dr. Ross Greene that Eric references is called, "The Kids Who Aren't OK." Here's a link to resources you might like as you read this highly recommended resource. https://livesinthebalance.org/tkwaok/Join the Conversation:Does your school use refocus rooms? What strategies have you found most helpful for co-regulation? Let us know in the comments!Subscribe for more Quick Bites on resilience and trauma-informed education.