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Students are unable to problem solve when they are in a heightened state of fight or flight. The typical child with emotional disabilities experiences this primal instinct to irrational stimuli, which can make sitting in a classroom for eight hours intolerable. Students severely react to unwanted attention, sensory sensitivities, stress, or simple classroom demands. Once our students are calm, teachers can assist them, however because of PTSD, emotional impairments, or other forms of anxiety, returning to a calm state is extremely difficult. One of the most universal coping mechanisms people use to calm down is to simply take a break. However our students have experienced "Take-A-Break" as not a time to calm down and problem solve, but as a punishment or a time out. KECO wants to break that stigma and create a space students love to use. Sensory stimulation and a calming atmosphere decreases adrenaline and lets the brain return to normal functioning. The 鈥淭ake-A-Break鈥 space will be arranged with comfortable bean bag chairs on a positive phrase rug and sensory stimulating objects placed on a small bookshelf. Sensory bottles will be created with the magnetic chips, sea creatures, and water beads; water-bubblers and sensory bottles will be out for students to play with. The wall tapestries will hide the painted cement walls and add a warm and snug element to the space, and the extension chord will allow for several lighting options that aren鈥檛 currently available. When teachers include "Take-A-Break" in a students' Individualized Educational Plan students experience a tremendous gain in their ability to cope with anxiety. Help our students use one of the most accessible coping mechanism, and help them return to the general education setting.
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