Imagine this: You’re a new teacher, excitedly setting up your classroom for the year. You’ve read about using a “Take a Break” area as part of the Responsive Classroom approach and want to create a space where students can calm down and refocus. You fill the corner with fluffy pillows, a cozy blanket, stuffed animals, fidget toys, building blocks, and a small basket of books.
You step back and smile, feeling confident your students will love it. And they will! By mid-morning on the first day, kids are lining up to visit the Take a Break area.
What went wrong?
When “Take a Break” Turns Into Playtime
I get it—your intentions are good. You want students to feel safe and supported, and the idea of a cozy, fun space seems perfect. But here’s the catch: when the Take a Break area includes toys, books, or overly cozy items, it can accidentally turn into an entertainment zone rather than a tool for self-regulation.
Here’s what happens when the Take a Break area becomes too stimulating:
- It promotes distraction. Instead of calming down or reflecting on their behavior, students may get caught up in playing or fiddling with items.
- It decreases accountability. Students might start seeing Take a Break as an easy way to avoid challenging tasks or lessons.
- It undermines classroom management. If students think of the Take a Break area as a “reward,” it can unintentionally encourage misbehavior just to gain access.
I’ve seen this happen in many first year teacher classrooms. Although their attempt was to create a helpful space, it wasn’t serving its purpose.
The Purpose of Take a Break
The Responsive Classroom approach emphasizes that Take a Break isn’t meant to be a punishment or a reward. It’s a neutral, supportive tool to help students regulate their emotions and behaviors.
The goal? Help students recognize when they need to step away, calm their bodies, and rejoin the group ready to participate.
What Should a Take a Break Area Include?
Keep it simple and focused. Here’s what works:
- A plain chair or small rug. Choose a chair (any regular student chair will do) or a small rug/mat. If you have a theme in your room, you can purchase something that matches it, but it doesn’t have to be anything fancy, and depending on the amount of space you want for your ‘Take a Break’ or Calming Corner, you can choose a rug size that fits your need. Ideally, you want to choose something that is easy to clean and wash. Here are some ideas I found:
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- A calming visual aid. Include a small poster or card with different breathing techniques can help guide students in self-regulation.
That’s it—less is truly more.
How to Set Up & Use the Take a Break Area Effectively
To make your Take a Break space work, here’s what I recommend:
- Introduce and model the purpose. Teach calming strategies like deep breathing or grounding exercises, and practice them with the class.
- Have every student practice Taking a Break. Show them how to use the space appropriately and how to rejoin the group.
- Establish clear rules. Let students know that breaks should last just a few minutes. Be consistent about when and how they can use the space.
- Reinforce expectations. Use the Take a Break area regularly to support classroom rules and self-regulation strategies.
Need a Lesson Plan Idea? Check out this resource!
Why Less Is More
By simplifying the Take a Break area, you help students focus on what matters: calming down, reflecting, and building self-regulation skills. It becomes a space for learning—not escape or entertainment.
And here’s the best part: a well-designed Take a Break area supports your classroom management goals by reducing disruptions and helping students develop the tools they need to manage their own behavior. It’s a win for them—and for you!
