Give Kids a Moment to Self-Regulate With an “I Need a Break” Card

As teachers, we know how overwhelmed some students can get in the classroom. When those feelings hit, they can escalate into an emotional meltdown or behavioral outburst. However, there are many ways to catch students and de-escalate the situation before that happens. We’ve created a handy set of Chill Out Passes to help you defuse behavior incidents before they happen.

What Are the Benefits of a Classroom Work Break?

While a work break seems too simple to actually help manage behavior, providing students with a Classroom Escape Clause has many benefits! Work breaks can:

• Defuse potentially explosive situations
• Allow intervention before mild behaviors escalate to significant behavior problems
• Provide a moment to calm down and think clearly
• Help students refocus and regain motivation
• Teach important coping skills
• Keep students in school

Students must bring the card to you when they feel upset or angry and need a break from the situation. Ensure that you speak to the student after their chill-out time to discuss the situation and any concerns they may have.

There are five-minute and three-minute cards and cards with no indicated time amount. Work with students to choose the best option to suit their needs.

Download Your Printable Work Break Cards

There are multiple file formats to choose when downloading this resource. Use the dropdown menu to access the:

• Full-color PDF
• Black-and-white PDF
• Full-color editable Microsoft Word
• Black-and-white editable Microsoft Word