Deep Breathing

Deep Breathing... Calming you can take anywhere!

Why?

Deep breathing can have many beneficial outcomes on a student such as increasing oxygen flow to the brain and eliciting a calming effect on the nervous system.  Slowing down your breath can reduce symptoms of anxiety and give yourself a sense of control and peace.  This controlled activity can also redirect a student from a challenging behaviour and slow one’s ‘engine’ allowing for improved body control and availability for learning (mind readiness).

Tools and Materials  

No tools or materials necessary.  However, using simple, tangible materials (e.g. pinwheel, feather) to teach younger children about deep breathing may be helpful initially.  

How?

Teach to take a slow, deep breath in through the nose.  Feel the air fill up your lungs.  Then slowly release the breath through your mouth.  You can try to count ‘1-2-3 in’ and ‘1-2-3 out’. Repeat. 

When?

Teach, and practice, these skills when the child(ren) are calm and engaged so they are better able to implement the skill when they need it.   

Try to practice a breathing exercise several times a day:

• Upon arrival to school

• After gym class

• After lunch recess

• After a movement break