If you are a parent or grandparent, you completely understand the challenges that come with trying to keep children’s minds focused and their attention on one thing for more than five minutes. That is the quandary that our elementary teachers face on a daily basis.

The teachers at Callaway Public Schools have implemented a unique program to help their young students remain more alert throughout their school day. It is called Bear Cave.

Every morning, Callaway’s kindergarten through third grade students are given a break from their academics to reset their brains. “This is a quiet moment to meet the sensory and self-regulation needs of each student and reset the brain for the remainder of the morning learning,” explained kindergarten teacher Stephanie Ross.

The Bear Cave program was initiated five years ago and was the idea of Title 1 teacher Wendy Dockweiler. Since its inception, the program has continued to grow, and the elementary teachers have completely bought into the concept. They plan separate activities during that time to meet the individual needs of each class.

For the past two weeks, the students have participated in pumpkin-themed brain breaks, planned by Ross and third-grade teacher Kaylee Brogan. Though it only involves 20 minutes out of their day, teachers and administrators agree it is a vitally important part of the day for their students.

“When students arrive at the cave, they are either energetic and happy, or tired and frustrated from work in the classroom. Our goal is to offer individuals a mindful break between their Language Arts and Math blocks,” Dockweiler explained. “The sensory break offers a physical and mental reset so they may focus and return to learning in the classroom.”

Students follow their own personal menu that is customized by the school’s Occupational Therapist to fit each child’s sensory needs. “There are four stations on each menu that are rotated out every two weeks based on students’ likes and dislikes,” Dockweiler shared. “We also rotate novelty stations such as bean bags or yoga to keep the students motivated. The stations include varying levels of physical activity and also allow students to use their senses of touch, smell, and sight.

We begin and end with focused breathing.”

In 2024, Bear Cave took on a new look. K-3 teachers took on specific sensory breaks, and student interviews/inventories were conducted. Then, individuals traveled to different rooms based on need and preference. Each teacher planned and offered Bear Cave breaks in their classrooms.

Dockweiler said 2025 looks similar to last year’s program; however, K-3 teachers are planning and sharing their prepared 'lesson' with each other in a rotation. “Mrs.

Ross had a fall vision with her homegrown pumpkins, and during lunch, she and Mrs. Brogan created stations for all K-3 students,” she said. “The process has been imperfect progess with adminstrative support from the get-go. As educators, we see the value and response from students. To be whole body learners, we know the importance for them to be integrated and regulated to learn. The collaboration among the teachers to support the whole child is uplifting and adds flavor for teachers and students.”

Callaway Elementary Principal Brittany Jesseph shared her thoughts on this unique program. “The Bear Cave is such a positive part of the day for students.

We work hard to find the different types of breaks that students need and try to incorporate them into this time,” she said. “After the break, students come back ready to learn for the second half of their morning. These breaks allow our students to come back more focused. This is a research-based practice that we have experienced the positives of firsthand. Our teachers come up with some of the most creative ways to meet student needs.”

The Bear Cave activities have not been limited to the school. “We have taken 'Bear Cave' on the road to the Good Life Center and around our community. We have used our hands and feet to serve others,” Dockweiler shared. “The heavy workload kids have picked up trash, swept outside in the spring on the porch at the Good Life Center, and worked in the yard at the Senior Center. They have picked up sticks at the park and practice field so the village workers can mow. We have played balloon games, worked on puzzles, completed crafts, and played games with the residents at the two local centers.”

Dockweiler said that grant money was used to purchase materials to get Bear Cave started, and Mrs. Jesseph took care of writing in the time slots. “She was beyond supportive to make this opportunity work for the well-being of ALL students,” Dockweiler said of Jesseph. “The purpose of the Bear Cave is to create a safe space where students can refocus and better understand themselves.”

*Excerpts of this article are from a newsletter written by Nadeema Haidle, Mrs.

Dockweiler, and Mrs. Sughayar.