Using A Time Out Table - Yay or Nay?
I had never used a time out table/chair in over ten years of teaching and it was only at my last school that it was compulsory for each class to have a designated time out table as part of their positive behaviour for learning plan.
This can be used positively as a time where students can remove themselves from the others and have a little thinking time. However, ‘time out’ also singles students out. It can make them feel humiliated in front of their peers. A better option may be a cool off corner where you provide books, drawing materials, soothing toys, pillows to lie on, or paper to write or draw something on.
Some considerations to keep in mind if you are using a time out table;
allow a student to stay at the table for maximum a minute for their age e.g six-year-olds stay for six minutes
do not use the table with an individual student more than a couple of times in one day
do not send more than one student at a time to the time out table
have a book for them to write out ‘I will be a safe respectful learner’ or a doodle book to help them calm down
ensure to speak to the child about managing their emotions and behaviours appropriately in the classroom after being at the table
communicate with parents that their child has had some time at the table that day
set your students up to minimise disruptive behaviours
Wellbeing is a big focus these days more than ever but is a time out table the best way? Are you a yay or nay for the time out table? Do you use reflection time or a calm down corner with your students? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.
