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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Michelle from Honolulu, HI is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Michelle is requesting

Cultivating Calm: Fostering Self-Regulation in Preschool Special Education

Help me give my students knowledge and materials to develop self-regulation skills, provide explicit instruction to identifying emotions, implement self-regulation strategies with Edushape Feelings Friend Emotional Plush, Lakeshore's Find Your Feelings Emotion Slider and the Abilitations Body Pod.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Michelle's classroom raised $545

This project is fully funded

My Project

"Cultivating Calm"! Our mission? Empower our preschool special education students to navigate those big emotions and behaviors with confidence.

We've all seen the challenges: emotional outbursts, tricky transitions, and focus that wavers.

That's why we're building a "calm-down area"—a soothing sanctuary with soft cushions, calming visuals (think nature scenes or gentle light), and maybe even some sensory bottles for tactile exploration. It’s their personal retreat.

But a space is just the start. We'll explicitly teach self-regulation strategies. Imagine using "feelings charts" with expressive faces to help students pinpoint their emotions. We'll teach deep breathing—"smell the flowers, blow out the candles"—and use social stories to illustrate how to handle tricky situations. For example, when a student struggles with transitions, we’ll use a visual schedule with "first/then" boards, paired with a timer, and teach them to use a calming cue card with a picture of deep breathing.

To address individual needs, we'll offer diverse sensory tools. Weighted blankets for proprioceptive input, fidget toys for tactile stimulation, and even noise-canceling headphones for auditory sensitivity. We'll also create personalized sensory toolboxes.

The teacher's role is crucial! I'll model calmness, explicitly teach strategies, and use tools like behavior charts. Imagine using a sticker chart to positively reinforce self-regulation attempts—one sticker for using deep breaths, another for asking for a break. We'll work together to collect data on their progress, noting frequency of calm-down area use and successful strategy implementation. We will modify strategies as needed.

Think of this as equipping our students with a lifelong coping toolkit. By creating a nurturing environment and providing these resources, we're setting them up for success, not just in preschool, but for life. Let's create a calmer, more regulated classroom together!

Ms. Michelle Kaimuki High School Grades PreK-2

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Honolulu, HI View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

30 students impacted 2donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Michelle is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Edushape Feelings Friend Emotional Plush: Soft Toy with Interchangeable Faces, Emotion Cards & Social-Emotional Guide • Kaplan Early Learning Company $44.96 1 $44.96
Abilitations Body Pod, Small, Lycra, Green - Nylon - Preschool-Early Childhood - Toddler - Breathable • School Specialty $42.97 1 $42.97
Lakeshore All About Feelings Magic Board • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
Lakeshore Moods & Emotions Wooden Match-Ups • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
OurHonor Weighted Elephant Stuffed Animals, 24in Weighted Plushies 4.2Lb Elephant Throw Pillow Plushie for Adults, Boys, and Girls - Soft Doll Toy (Grey) • Amazon Business $28.99 1 $28.99
Yunsailing Kids Earmuffs Noise Canceling Reduction 26dB Adjustable Ear Protection Headphones • Amazon Business $28.99 1 $28.99
Kasfalci Feelings Chart, Social Emotional Learning Activities,Autism Learning Materials, ADHD Tools,Behavior Management,Anger Management Toys,Calm Down Corner Supplies for Classroom Daycare & Home • Amazon Business $22.99 1 $22.99
Learning Resources See My Feelings Mirror: Easy-Grip Shatterproof Mirror with 6 Emotions for Kids to Identify and Imitate • Kaplan Early Learning Company $19.76 1 $19.76
Hadley Designs Feelings Chart for Kids – 4 Pack Emotion Posters for Classroom & Home, Laminated Social Emotional Learning (SEL) & Behavior Management Tools, 11x17 Colorful Classroom Decor • Amazon Business $16.65 1 $16.65
Eamay Emotions and Feelings Pocket Chart for Kids with 31 Cards,Social Emotional Learning Pocket Chart for Classroom and Home-School,Blue • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
BouncyBand Stretch Band Focus Tool – 30” Resistance Band for Kids Stretches to Over 46” – Silent Sensory Tool Awakens Imagination, Develops Balance, and Strengthens Muscles • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
KIKIGOAL Feelings Chart For Preschool Teacher Supplies, Social Emotional Learning Pocket Chart, Autism Visual Behavior Management, Daycare Essentials, Calm Down Corner Classroom Supplies • Amazon Business $14.39 1 $14.39
10 Pack Chair Bands for Kids with Fidgety Feet - ADHD Latex Fidget Bands That Relieve Anxiety Hyperactivity Autism Sensory Bands for Kids - Fidget Bands for Classroom Chairs • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
Rhode Island Novelty 6 Inch Pinwheels One Dozen Per Order • Amazon Business $11.98 1 $11.98
Sensory Toys for Kids Toddlers - Social Emotional Feelings Toys for Special Needs, Texture Shapes Learning Tactile Toy Preschool Classroom Must Haves, Calm Down Sensory Toys for Autistic Children • Amazon Business $11.69 1 $11.69
hand2mind Alphabet Sensory Bubble Poppers, Pop Fidget Toys for Kids, Letter Toys, Fine Motor Toys, Fidgets for Classroom, Calm Down Corner Supplies, Science of Reading Manipulatives (Set of 6) • Amazon Business $10.29 1 $10.29
Lakeshore Find Your Feelings Emotion Slider • Lakeshore Learning Materials $9.99 1 $9.99
9 Pcs Classroom Breathing Posters Calming Corner Posters Mindfulness Therapy Office Decor Calm Down Corner Wall Art Feelings Chart for Kids Educational Posters for Classroom • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
hand2mind Hundred Board Sensory Bubble Popper, Pop Fidget Toys for Kids, Multiplication Board, Math Manipulatives Kindergarten, Fine Motor Toys, Fidgets for Classroom, Calm Down Corner Supplies • Amazon Business $6.79 1 $6.79

Materials cost

$384.38

Vendor shipping charges

 $26.13

Sales tax

 $16.91

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.77

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$463.19

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$81.74

Total project goal

$544.93

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $544.93

1 Donor

-$272.46

Donations toward project cost

-$231.59

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$40.87

match offer

-$272.47

Match offer toward project cost

-$231.60

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$40.87

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Michelle and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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