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Smart Learners Take Eye Breaks

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Using digital devices is part of everyday learning, but Smart Learners know how to use screens in healthy and thoughtful ways. Taking regular eye breaks, sitting with good posture, and managing screen time helps protect eyesight, support wellbeing, and reflect the values of the Kawa of Care. These guidelines help ensure that screen use is safe, balanced, and supports focused learning in a positive classroom environment.

Kawa of Care – Responsible Use

Taking care of our eyes and body is part of responsible device use.
Smart learners use their device in healthy ways to support learning.
Eye breaks and good posture help students work safely and confidently.

Teacher-Directed Use

Devices are used for learning activities.
Only used when the teacher has given permission.
During instructions or discussions, screens are down or lids are half-closed.
Students follow teacher cues about when to use and when to take a break.

Time Limits & Eye Breaks

Avoid long, uninterrupted periods on screens.
Use short, focused sessions – around 20 minutes or less.
Take brief eye breaks regularly – look away from the screen for 20 seconds.
Encourage blinking, looking into the distance, or closing eyes briefly.

Posture & Ergonomics

Sit upright with the device on a desk or table.
Keep screens about an arm’s length from the eyes.
Feet flat on the floor, back straight, and screen at eye level.
Adjust lighting so screens aren’t too bright or too dark.

Focus, Not Distraction

Devices are tools for learning, not toys.
Used only for teacher-assigned tasks.
Keep tabs and apps limited to what’s needed.
Supports self-management and positive learning habits.

Balanced Use & Wellbeing

Mix screen-based and hands-on learning activities.
Follow device time with offline tasks, movement, or discussion.
Protect playtime – no devices during breaks when possible.
Teach why eye and movement breaks help students feel better and learn better.

Lesson Idea

Learn

Start with a class kōrero about screen use:

When do we use our devices during the day?
How do your eyes or body feel after a long time on your Chromebook/iPad?
What is an “eye break” and why might we need one?

List student ideas and introduce the idea that being a Smart Learner means looking after your eyes and body while online. Explain what happens when we use screens too long (eye strain, dry eyes, sore necks, etc.).

CREATE

Now let’s make a comic strip using photos from your webcam to show what Smart Eyes look like in action.

🧠 Plan your panels first (3–5 steps recommended).

Ideas:

Using a screen too long
Realising you need an eye break
Doing the blink test
Taking a proper break (looking out the window, sitting up straight, doing a stretch)
Returning to learning feeling better

📸 Take photos using your webcam for each panel. You can take silly or serious ones – just make sure they clearly show what’s happening.

🎨 Build your comic in Google Slides or Google Drawings. Add speech bubbles, labels, or emojis.

Share your poster on your blog, to help others learn about Smart Headphone use.

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