Taking Time Tool

Taking Time Tool: Taking some time to check in to see what we need or are feeling. It’s an opportunity to think things through or cool down. Taking a Time-In doesn’t always require physical removal from a situation; it is more of a turning inward in order to have a period of self-reflection.

Time-away allows us to physically remove or distance ourselves from the heat of a conflict, allowing us space to calm down and understand how we are feeling and thinking.

Tagline: I take time-in and time-away.

Hand Gesture: A wristwatch reminds students that the Taking Time Tool is important to pause and go inward, or to pause and gain distance (perspective). Gently tapping their wrists with their index fingers can help students remind themselves to take some Time-In or Time-Away.

Time-In looks, from the outside, a lot like the Breathing Tool, however the Breathing Tool is about focusing on inner body sensation. The Taking Time Tool is about quietly thinking and reflecting. Breathing helps you first take a Time-In.

Time-Away is when you make the decision to leave a situation in order to calm down and have the space to breathe deeply and listen to your inner voice. Ask them again, what they think is wise about using each of these, Time-In or Time-away.

If the topic of a time-out arises, explain that time-out is a punishment or consequence and is very different from what we are talking about with the Taking Time Tool. Using the Taking Time Tool is something we control and that should feel very positive to us.

USING TIME WISELY

Ask the following questions:
- What do you think it means to use your time wisely?
- What are some different ways to use your time wisely by using the Taking Time Tool?

TIME-IN and TIME-AWAY

Ask the following questions:
- What is the difference between Time-in and Time-away?
A Time-in is a time to listen to your inner voice and figure out what you are feeling. A Time-Away is when you move away from what is bothering you (people, activities, situations) to get enough space to have Time-In!
Ask the following questions:
- When are some good times to take Time-Away?
  - When you’re feeling like you want to hurt someone else or yourself
  - When you’re feeling ready to explode
  - After you do explode
  - When you keep getting into conflicts with people around you.
  - When you’re feeling over-excited and wishing you could calm down.

When are some good times to take a Time-In?
- After you’ve been fighting with your brother or sister
- If you’ve been feeling grumpy, irritable, upset, or mad and you’re not sure why
- After you’ve had a disagreement with a friend
- After you’ve had an argument with your parent
When you are Taking Time-In, what are you saying to yourself?
When you are Taking Time-Away, what are you saying to yourself?

Have your students repeat the Taking Time Tool tagline-- “I take Time-In and Time-Away” --together, and practice the Tool gesture one more time.

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