Classrooms for young children often are designed around a "center" concept; different areas of the room are set up for specific activities. Designate a couple of centers as "open" to those students who finish their work early. As long as students remain quiet and respectful of those still working, they may go to the reading center and pick out a book to read silently. Another option may be to select materials from the art center to quietly draw a picture or complete a simple craft at their own desks.
A few minutes of quiet time between activities or while waiting for the lunch bell to ring may be just enough time to complete a worksheet or problem set to reinforce writing or reading skills, or to strengthen math problem-solving techniques. Students may use the time to review flash cards with new spelling words, fill in multiplication tables, or connect the stars to form familiar constellations on a science worksheet. Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords or mazes are all engaging, individual, quiet activities.
Although most quiet-time activities are typically individual activities, there are a few fun group games that can be played in near-total silence. Indeed, several actually reinforce the importance of keeping quiet. Variations on charades or statues-type games require the students to be inventive and communicate without using verbal cues. Others require following simple instructions from the teacher without making any sound; they all put their thumbs up, or anyone wearing red clothes raises one hand, for example.
Older children may enjoy being free to use the quiet time as they choose, provided they do not disturb those classmates who are still working. Students may be given options, such as reading from a book of their choice brought from home, resting their heads on their desks or getting to use the classroom computers. Budding artists may want time to sketch or doodle, while some students may opt to use the time to get homework assignments done to free up their time at home later.