Downtime

a guide for classroom teachers and teacher aides

Downtime goes by many different names, all with slight variations on each other. There is ‘time-out’ for those who are a little off-task or repeat undesirable behaviours after warnings and reprimands. Similarly, there is ‘self-calming’ for those who need a break from the excitement of class. Some schools have a padded ‘safety room’ so students can calm down without hurting themselves or anyone else. Downtime is similar except for the fact that it isn’t a consequence or punishment, nor is it used specifically for meltdowns. In its simplest form, downtime is an activity that provides students with a break from the hectic pace of the class and the curriculum. It is often used as a preventative measure because regular and short downtime activities helps to keep stress levels low thus preventing outbursts. Downtime can also be used as a reward for good behaviour, the achievement of a goal or for the completion of an activity.

Teachers use downtime as a self-calming tool for when students are becoming agitated or when they see the tell-tale signs of a meltdown. Downtime can be as simple as taking a message to another room, sitting outside to read a favourite book, playing a video game, cleaning and organising a store area, a walk with a friend, going to the library to choose a book, or any other number of distractions designed to reduce anxiety and stress. Teachers often set up a specific downtime area. It will often include a video game console, board games and interesting books (children love the Guinness Book of Records). Providing downtime is a proactive way of preventing looming behavioural issues and is particularly useful when working with students with autism and other neurological, social or learning disorders.

Teachers use downtime as a self-calming tool for when students are becoming agitated or when they see the tell-tale signs of a meltdown.