# Lesson 253: Take regular screen breaks

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • Section B — Using Devices Safely

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## Objective

I can tell why screen breaks are important, notice when my body needs a break, and choose healthy things to do away from the screen.

## Materials

- Plain paper or a notebook page
- Pencils, crayons, or markers
- Optional: a simple timer or kitchen clock
- Optional: space to stretch and move safely

## Mini-lesson — Why we need screen breaks

Screens can help us learn and have fun. But our bodies and brains also need regular breaks.

What counts as a screen?

- Tablets and phones
- Computers and laptops
- Game consoles and TVs

How screens can feel in our body

- Eyes can feel tired or dry.
- Neck, shoulders, or back can feel stiff.
- We might forget to move, drink water, or blink.

Body signals that it is time for a break

- Rubbing eyes or squinting
- Yawning or feeling sleepy
- Feeling fussy, grumpy, or too excited
- Not wanting to stop the game, even when it is time

Simple break ideas

- Stand up and stretch.
- Look out a window or far across the room.
- Walk around, jump, or dance for a few minutes.
- Drink some water or have a small snack (with permission).

Planning screen breaks

- Use a timer with an adult to know when it is break time.
- After a screen time, have a short move-and-rest break.
- Keep special times with no screens, like meals and bedtime.

Adults can say: "Screens can be helpful, and we will also give our eyes and bodies regular breaks to stay healthy."

Picture strip: "Screen time, then break time"

## Guided Practice — Screen time and break time sort

You and an adult will sort activities into "On screens" and "Off screens" and add break ideas.

1. On a page, draw a big T-chart. Label one side "On screens" and the other side "Off screens".
2. Say or write some activities together, such as: "playing a tablet game", "reading a paper book", "watching a cartoon", "building with blocks". Sort them into the correct column.
3. Circle the screen activities. Next to the T-chart, draw a small break box.
4. In the break box, help your child list 3 break ideas they like, such as: "stretch", "look out the window", "get a drink", "dance to one song".
5. Practise a tiny routine: pretend a timer rings, then both stand up and do one break idea for 20–30 seconds.
6. Ask: "How do your eyes and body feel after the break?" Notice any changes together.
7. Say together: "Screens are helpful, and we also take breaks to help our bodies and eyes."

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — My screen-break plan

Use this practice to help your child make a simple plan for when to take breaks from screens.

1. On a new page, draw a big rectangle. At the top, write or trace the title: "My screen-break plan".
2. Divide the rectangle into three rows and label them: "Before", "During", and "After" screen time.
3. In the Before row, draw one picture that shows getting ready in a healthy way, such as sitting up straight or asking an adult about how long they can play.
4. In the During row, draw a tiny clock or timer and one picture of a quick stretch they can do when it rings.
5. In the After row, draw a picture of an off-screen activity they enjoy, such as playing outside, reading, or building.
6. Help your child add one short sentence or phrase under each picture, like: "Ask about time", "Stretch when timer rings", or "Play off screens".
7. Put the plan near a device area and practise using it for one day. At the end of the day, ask: "How did the screen breaks feel?"

## Quick Check — Take regular screen breaks

Answer each question about why and how to take regular screen breaks.

1) Why do we need breaks from screens?

So we never have fun. To rest our eyes and body and stay healthy. So devices can have a turn instead.
Breaks help our eyes, body, and brain rest and move.

2) Which is a body signal that it might be time for a break?

Your eyes feel tired or you keep rubbing them. You feel fresh and just started playing. You are outside running around.
Tired eyes can mean it is time to rest from the screen.

3) Which is a good break activity?

Starting a new game on the tablet. Watching another video. Standing up to stretch and look away from the screen.
Good breaks get your eyes and body away from screens.

4) What can help you remember when it is time for a break?

Playing until you fall asleep. Using a timer with a trusted adult. Guessing and never checking the time.
A timer helps everyone remember when to pause screens.

5) When is a good time to have no screen?

In the middle of the night instead of sleeping. All through every meal. At bedtime or during family meals.
Many families choose screen-free times like meals or bedtime.

6) What could you say when a timer rings for a break?

"Time for my screen break!" "I will never stop this game." "I will hide the timer."
Listening to the timer helps you follow your screen-break plan.

7) Your shoulders feel stiff after using a tablet. What is a kind choice for your body?

Hunch closer to the screen. Put the tablet down and stretch your shoulders. Turn the volume up very loud.
Stretching gives your muscles a break from staying still.

8) Who can help you make a screen-break plan?

A stranger online. No one. You must decide alone. A trusted adult, like a parent or teacher.
Trusted adults can help set safe and fair screen-time rules.

9) Which rule matches this lesson?

"Screens are helpful, and I also need regular breaks." "Screens are more important than my health." "I never need to stop using screens."
The goal is to enjoy screens and protect your body and eyes.

10) What is one big goal of this lesson?

To stop you from ever using technology. To help you use screens in a healthy way with regular breaks. To make you play games all day.
We want children to enjoy technology and also care for their health.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can name at least one reason why screen breaks are important. Student can describe at least one body signal that shows it is time for a break. Student can give at least two healthy break ideas away from screens. Student understands that an adult can help make a screen-break plan. Student can say a simple rule like "Screens help me, and I also take breaks."

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can tell when I need a screen break and choose a healthy break. 🙂 I know some ideas for screen breaks but still need practice. 😅 Remembering to take screen breaks still feels tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Listening when a timer rings for a break Doing a stretch or short walk away from the screen Talking with an adult about my screen-break plan
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