Break cards: free printable “I need a break” cards

Who it’s for

Children, teens and adults who get overwhelmed and then leave the room, shut down or push things away; people whose words go when they’re upset; and the parents, teachers and aides who would rather be asked than find out the hard way. Break cards work at home, at school and at work.

How to use break cards

1. Keep a card within reach. On the desk, in a pocket, on a key ring or a lanyard. A card in a drawer can’t be handed over.
2. Teach it when everyone is calm. Show what the card does, and practice: hand it over, go to the break spot, come back.
3. Say yes every time at first. The person is learning that asking works. Thank them for asking.
4. Keep the break short and calm. A few minutes in a quiet spot, with one of the things on the break choices board.
5. End with what’s next. Show the next card before the break ends, so coming back isn’t a surprise.

For a step-by-step plan, read how to teach a child to use a break card.

What to do on a break

Page 2 shows 12 things to do on a break: deep breaths, a walk, something to squeeze, a fidget, headphones, lying down, rocking, a drink, a book, drawing, a quiet corner and stretching. Cross out the ones that aren’t calming for this person, or aren’t possible where you are. The After my break row has a break card, an arrow and a dashed box: put the next activity there, so the end of the break is clear. Any of our 1.6 inch (4 cm) picture cards fits the box.

Break, help, quiet or all done?

The small cards say different things, and each one needs a different answer. Break means “I need to stop for a bit.” Help means “this is too hard.” Quiet means “it’s too loud.” All done means “I’m finished with this.” If the break card comes out every time the work gets hard, the help card may be the one the person really needs.

What’s on the PDF

Cards

• I need a break
• break
• help
• quiet
• all done
• I need a break, please.
• Can I take a short break?
• 2 blank cards

On my break, I can…

• deep breaths
• walk
• squeeze
• fidget
• headphones
• lie down
• rock
• a drink
• book
• draw
• quiet corner
• stretch

Printing tips

• Print on card stock and laminate before cutting. Break cards get handled a lot.
• Make copies for every place the person spends time: home, the classroom, the car, a grandparent’s house. The same card everywhere means the same thing everywhere.
• Teens and adults often prefer the word-only cards at the bottom of page 1.
• Glue a photo of the real calm spot, like a beanbag or a bedroom, onto a blank card.
• To say how they feel, too, add the feelings board.