Loop Breakers Slideshow Loop Breakers
Finding patience and empathy when habits get stuck on repeat.
Harmony Hub
H
What is the "Loop"?
The Loop is an annoying behavior that happens over and over again.
Tapping a pencil constantly.
Asking the same question 5 times.
Making a specific sound repeatedly.
It feels like a broken record playing the same annoying skip.
Looking Beneath the Surface
Anxiety
Repetition can be a way the brain tries to feel safe or in control when nervous.
Connection
Sometimes it's a "bid for attention." They might not know how else to start a conversation.
Automatic
It might be a stim or a habit they don't even realize they are doing.
"They aren't doing it TO you, they are going through it WITH themselves."
The Reaction Trap
Frustration
"Stop it! You're being so annoying!"
Fueling the Loop
Negative attention still counts as attention. It keeps the loop going.
Anger is the shortcut. Empathy is the path.
The Patience Pause
01
Notice the Spark
Feel the irritation starting in your chest or shoulders.
02
Take the Air
One deep breath before you say anything at all.
03
Check Your Story
Are they doing this to hurt you? Or are they just "stuck"?
STOP & BREATHE
The Empathy Shift
"They are so annoying. Why won't they just stop?"
"They seem really restless today. I wonder if they're nervous about the test."
"They keep asking me questions just to bother me."
"They might be feeling lonely and are trying to connect with me."
The Loop Breaker Toolbox
Gentle Redirection
Offer a different focus without making them feel bad.
"Hey, I noticed you're tapping. Want to help me hand out these papers?"
The "I See You"
Acknowledge them before the loop starts to escalate.
"I hear you asking. I'm busy right now, but let's talk in 5 minutes."
Planned Ignoring
Stay calm and don't react to the loop at all. Wait for the pause.
(Stay focused on your work until the humming stops, then praise the quiet.)
Direct & Kind
Use "I" statements to share how you feel calmly.
"I'm finding it hard to concentrate with the clicking. Could you try a fidget instead?"
Practice: The Repetitive Question
Sam has asked "What time is lunch?" every ten minutes since 9:00 AM. It is now 10:30 AM. You are trying to finish your writing project.
Empathy Check
Why might Sam be doing this? Is he bored? Hungry? Anxious about the schedule?
The Strategy
How can you break the loop with patience? What could you say or do?
DISCUSS WITH A PARTNER
Harmony Hub Challenge
Next time you feel the "irritation spark," remember: The loop isn't a weapon—it's usually a signal. Break the loop with kindness.
Stay Patient. Stay Kind.
Loop Breakers Teacher Guide Loop Breakers
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson Focus
Empathy & Patience
Learning Objectives
Identify repetitive, annoying behaviors (the "loop").
Understand that most "loop" behaviors are signals of underlying needs (anxiety, connection).
Practice the "Patience Pause" to regulate emotional reactions.
Select and apply empathetic redirection strategies.
Estimated Pacing
Introduction & Definition 10 min
Understanding the "Why" 15 min
Strategy Toolbox 15 min
Case Study & Wrap-Up 10 min
Slideshow Facilitation Notes
Defining the Loop & The "Why"
Encourage students to share examples of behaviors they find annoying without naming names. Transition to Slide 3 by explaining that behaviors are like icebergs—we only see the tip.
Key Question: "Can you remember a time you did something on repeat? Were you nervous? Bored? Did you even realize you were doing it?"
The Reaction Trap & The Pause
Discuss how "the Loop" often pulls others into a loop of their own (the reaction loop). Practice the "Patience Pause" together. Have the whole class take a collective deep breath.
Teacher Tip: Acknowledge that staying calm is hard work. It's a "brain muscle" we are building.
The Toolbox
Model each strategy using a volunteer. Show the difference in tone between a "frustrated reaction" and a "loop-breaking response." Focus heavily on Gentle Redirection as it is the most versatile tool.
Differentiation
Support: Provide a "strategy card" for students to keep at their desks with the phrases from Slide 7.
Extension: Have students write a "Loop Breaker" comic strip where a character successfully handles a repetitive behavior.
Common Misconceptions
"Empathy means I have to let them keep doing it." (Clarify: Empathy is about how you ask them to stop, not if you ask).
"They are doing it to be mean." (Clarify: Most loops are unconscious habits or stress responses).
Checking for Understanding
Observe student interactions during the Case Study discussion. Listen for:
✓ Identification of Sam's potential need (hunger/anxiety).
✓ Use of "I" statements or gentle redirection.
Loop Breakers Student Worksheet Loop Breakers
Name
Date
1 Spotting the Loop
Think of a behavior you've seen (or done!) that feels like it's on a "loop." Describe it below.
The "Surface" Reaction:
How does this behavior usually make you feel?
The "Empathy" Shift:
What could be the hidden reason for the behavior?
2 The Patience Pause
NOTICE
The "irritation spark."
BREATHE
One slow, deep breath.
RE-STORY
Tell a kind story.
What "kind story" could you tell yourself next time you are annoyed?
3 Choose Your Tool
Match the situation with the "Loop Breaker" tool you would use. Write the letter in the circle.
A friend keeps humming loudly while you are reading. You are losing focus.
A classmate keeps tapping you on the shoulder to show you a drawing.
Someone keeps asking "Is it time yet?" every few minutes before a trip.
A Gentle Redirection
"Hey, let's look at the clock together. We have 20 minutes left. Want to help me pack?"
B Direct & Kind
"I'm finding it hard to read with the humming. Could you hum a bit quieter?"
C The "I See You"
"That's a cool drawing! I'm focused on my work now, but I'll look at the next one at recess."
D Planned Ignoring
Wait for a small break in the behavior, then start a positive conversation.
The Loop Breaker Promise
I will try to look for the need behind the behavior.
Challenge Accepted
Circle of Patience Slideshow Circle of Patience
Harmony Hub: Self-Regulation
The Battery Check
5 Minutes
? %
If you were a device right now, what is your internal battery percentage from 0% to 100%?
Why did you choose that number?
Brain Loops & Glitches
Some brains have glitches where they do things over and over.
Asking them to "Stop" often doesn't work because their brain hasn't hit 'pause' yet.
Important Distinction
"Brain Loops"
Behaviors that are annoying but not mean.
(Tapping, humming, asking the same question)
"Safety Issues"
Words used to hurt you (insults, mean names).
This is not a loop—it is a safety issue.
Three Bridges for Loops
1
THE MOVE
Self-break for focus. Moving your body to find a new spot.
2
THE SIGNAL
Share your feelings quietly and directly.
3
INNER VOLUME
Patient self-talk. Controlling your "internal" reaction.
The Safety Net
Tell an Adult Immediately
Use this net if someone's words or actions are hurtful or mean.
Bridge Practice
We are going to use the Bridge Scenario Cards to decide:
Bridge vs. Safety Net?
Which Bridge?
Wait for your teacher to present Scenario G...
One-Word Check-out
Pass the talking stick. Share one word about how you feel about using these bridges today.
Circle of Patience
Circle of Patience Teacher Guide Circle of Patience
Harmony Hub: Teacher Facilitation Guide
30 MINS
SETUP: CLOSED CIRCLE TOOL: TALKING STICK
5'
The Battery Check
Gather students in a circle. Introduce the talking stick. Use the Battery Percentage analogy to check in on their current emotional state.
Facilitator Script: "Since we've done weather before, let's try a tech check. If you were a device right now, what is your 'internal battery percentage' from 0% to 100%? And why did you choose that number? What's been happening today to make you feel that way?"
5'
Brain Loops & Boundaries
Concept: Remind the group that some brains have "glitches" or "loops" where they do things over and over. When this happens, asking them to "Stop" often doesn't work because their brain hasn't hit 'pause' yet.
Important Distinction:
The bridges are for behaviors that are annoying but not mean . If someone uses words to hurt you (insults, mean names), that is not a brain-glitch behavior—that is a safety issue.
10'
Bridges vs. Safety
Use the bridges for loops. Use the Safety Net for hurtful words.
1. THE MOVE: Self-break for focus.
2. THE SIGNAL: Share your feelings quietly.
3. INNER VOLUME: Patient self-talk.
The Safety Net: Tell an adult immediately if words are hurtful.
10'
Practice & Wrap-up
Use the Bridge Scenario Cards . Note: Use the new Scenario G to practice identifying hurtful words vs. loop behaviors.
Final Wrap-up:
Pass the stick one last time for a one-word check-out on how they feel about using these bridges.
Validate Emotions
If a student says something hurtful, they may be dysregulated. However, we must teach the circle that they don't have to tolerate being spoken to unkindly.
Right to Pass
A student can always hold the stick silently, then pass it. This respects their boundaries while keeping them in the circle.
Circle of Patience Scenario Cards Scenario A
Your desk partner is tapping their pencil against the desk constantly. It's making a clicking sound that is hard to ignore.
Bridge or Safety Net?
Scenario B
A classmate is asking "When is recess?" every five minutes. They have asked it four times already.
Which Bridge would you use?
Scenario C
Someone calls you a mean name because you made a mistake on your paper.
Is this a loop?
NEW
Scenario G
"You're so slow! My baby brother could do this faster than you!" - said to you while you are working.
Safety Net or Bridge? Why?
1
THE MOVE
2
THE SIGNAL
3
INNER VOLUME
SAFETY NET
