5 Powerful Breathing Exercises for Kids: Emotional Regulation Series Part 4
Share This:
You already know— big emotions can be tough for kids to handle! One minute, they’re as happy as can be, and the next, their top is about to blow because their pencil broke. As an elementary school teacher, you see it all! Helping kids learn how to manage their emotions is essential, and one of the easiest ways to do so is through teaching them about breathing exercises for kids! These 5 fun and powerful exercises can help your students calm down, refocus, and feel more in control of their own bodies and emotions.
The Importance of Emotional Regulation for Kids
Emotional regulation is one of the most important skills kids can learn. It helps them learn to navigate their big feelings and use healthy coping strategies. If you’ve been following along in this Emotional Regulation Series, you already know how essential it is to give students practical tools to manage their emotions and learn to stay calm.
In part 1, we explored several favorite sensory and calming tools.
Part 2 discussed effective calm down strategies kids can use when their emotions run high.
In part 3, we introduced relaxation techniques to practice with students and encourage overall calmness.
Now, let’s dive into part 4 and learn all about breathing exercises!
What are Breathing Exercises?
Breathing exercises are a simple but powerful way to help students deal with big emotions safely and effectively.
This strategy encourages students to breathe intentionally to help them regulate their feelings and regain control.
How are Breathing Exercises for Kids Beneficial?
Breathing exercises help kids:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve focus and attention
- Develop mindfulness and self-awareness
- Regulate big emotions like anger and frustration before they are out of control
Teaching 5 Powerful Breathing Exercises for Kids
To introduce these techniques effectively, start by reading the social skills story “I Have Ways to Calm Down When I Am Angry or Frustrated”.
After you’ve read the story aloud, use printable cards in the Mindfulness Breathing Exercise Resource to guide your students through several different breathing options.
Start by using the breathing exercise worksheets to practice as a large group, then split students into small groups or partners for more practice. These worksheets can be taken home to help promote a positive school-home connection too!
PRO TEACHER TIP: Always practice breathing exercises when students are calm, so they can easily remember and use them when they’re feeling big emotions later on.
Try these breathing exercises with your students first:
1. Bunny Breathing
Encourage students to imagine themselves as bunnies.
How to:
- Take 3 quick sniffs through your nose.
- Breathe out through your mouth while counting to 5.
- Repeat until the big feelings begin to melt away.
2. Smell the Flowers Breathing
Students should envision themselves smelling a bouquet of lovely flowers.
How to:
- Breathe in deeply through your nose.
- Breathe out slowly through your mouth.
- Continue “smelling the flowers” until you regain your sense of calm.
3. Birthday Candle Breathing
Imagine blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.
How to:
- Take a deep breath in through your nose.
- Blow out hard through your mouth to blow out the pretend candles.
- Repeat a few times if needed!
4. Bumblebee Breathing
Encourage your students to imagine being a buzzing bumblebee.
How to:
- Carefully place a finger in each ear and close your eyes.
- Breathe in through your nose.
- Hum softly as you breathe out and find your calm.
5. Rainbow Breathing
Follow the colors of the rainbow with your breath.
*A visual of a rainbow is helpful for this breathing exercise!
How to:
- Use your fingers to trace each color of the rainbow one at a time.
- Breathe in through your nose as you trace up the arc.
- Breathe out through your mouth as you trace down the arc.
- Repeat for every color.
Try this exercise for FREE with your students!
Encourage students to practice all of these breathing techniques and decide which ones work best for them.
The goal is for students to independently recognize when they need to use a breathing exercise and be able to use a familiar one at that moment.
Find all of these breathing exercises AND MORE in the Mindfulness Breathing Exercises Resource!
Check Out the Rest of the Emotional Regulation Series!
If you haven’t already, read the first 3 parts of the Emotional Regulation Series:
- Part 1: Favorite Calming and Sensory Tools
- Part 2: Calm Down Strategies
- Part 3: Relaxation Techniques
Check back soon for the rest of the Emotional Regulation Series:
- Part 5: Mindfulness Techniques
- Part 6: Creating a Calming Corner
- Part 7: The Importance of Teaching Emotional Awareness
- Part 8: Favorite Emotional Regulation Books for kids
By the end of the series, you’ll have everything you need to confidently teach emotional regulation skills to your students!
Breathing exercises for kids are an easy but powerful way to help young children learn to self-regulate and find their calm in the midst of big feelings. By teaching these techniques early and practicing them regularly, you’re giving your students a skill they can use for the rest of their lives!
Let me know if you have any questions about anything you see here. Don’t forget to pin this post to refer to it later!
Other posts you may enjoy:
The Importance of Using Emotional Regulation Strategies in the Classroom
How to Prepare for a Substitute Teacher in 5 Easy Steps
5 Easy Tips for Effective Classroom Management: Balancing Fun and Self-Control
GUIDE STUDENTS IN DEVELOPING A GROWTH MINDSET WITH THESE
Free Growth Mindset Punch Cards
The perfect way to start meaningful habits and conversations with your students!
Diane Romo
Thank you for being here! I love sharing ideas with other teachers! If you are looking to enhance your teaching and build a positive classroom community, you have come to the right place!
