Introduction
As educators, we understand the importance of teaching students to recognize their feelings and learn strategies to manage them. One essential skill for elementary students is learning to ask for a break when they feel overwhelmed, stressed, or frustrated. This blog post will provide an overview of the skill, a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps for incorporating this valuable concept into your classroom.
No-Prep Activity: The Break Request Role-Play
This activity requires no preparation or materials and helps students practice asking for a break in a safe and supportive environment. Divide the class into pairs, with one student playing the role of the teacher and the other playing the role of the student. Have the “student” practice asking for a break using the steps provided in the concept:
- Notice how you are feeling.
- Take a deep breath.
- Ask an adult or teacher for a break using a calm and kind tone of voice.
After each pair has practiced, have the students switch roles and repeat the process. This activity reinforces the concept and builds confidence in asking for a break when needed.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to recognize our feelings and ask for a break when we feel overwhelmed?
- What are some situations in which you might need to ask for a break?
- How can taking a break help us regain control and stay calm?
- What are some other strategies we can use to manage our feelings in addition to asking for a break?
- How can we support our classmates when they need a break?
Related Skills
Asking to take a break is just one of many valuable skills that contribute to a student’s overall well-being and ability to manage their feelings. Other related skills include:
- Recognizing and labeling emotions
- Deep breathing and relaxation techniques
- Conflict resolution and problem-solving
- Communicating feelings effectively
- Developing and maintaining healthy friendships
Next Steps
Ready to incorporate the skill of asking for a break and other essential social-emotional learning concepts into your classroom? Sign up for free samples of skill-based materials and activities at Everyday Speech. Explore a variety of resources designed to support educators in teaching students the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
