As many teachers know, one of the key components of the Responsive Classroom Program is the “Take a Break.” It is designed to restore a learning environment and to help students gain self-control quietly while allowing them to maintain their dignity with their classmates.

We believe maintaining students’ dignity is critical if one hopes to change behavior. We have observed many teachers utilize the “take a break” in a way that effectively preserves the child’s dignity.

We have also witnessed teachers who bark out the words “take a break” more quickly with particular students. Teachers have to be careful to continually make this request in a calm voice that does not express irritation. When teachers express irritation, they do not preserve the dignity of the student and send a powerful message to the other students that their classmate is “trouble.”