Knowing how to take a deep breath to calm big emotions and untangle thoughts, is an essential life skill, creating students who are healthy, happy, and ready to learn.

Carle, E. (2016). Calm with the Very Hungry Caterpillar. UK/USA/Australia/India/Ireland/New Zealand/South Africa, Puffin Books.

Incorporating characters from Carle's well-loved picture books, this simple picture book describes how to take a deep breath to calm the "monkey mind," "clear the cobwebs," and emotionally regulate.

I used this book with kindergarten students to wrap up the year last school year. In reviewing all skills learned throughout the year, we reinforced the tool of breathing with this simple story. I have also used in centers for exploring breathing techniques. I can see it being helpful in a designated "time out space" in a classroom.

Hawn Foundation. (2011). MindUP Curriculum Grades PreK-2: Brain-Focused Strategies for Learning and Living. USA, Scholastic.

This curriculum includes fifteen, easy to teach lessons to improve behavior and learning for all students. The lessons are based on brain research. Strategies are shared to help develop focus, self-regulation, stress resilience, and positive mindset skills.

My favorite lesson from this resource includes the concept of DOWNstairs Brain vs. UPstairs Brain. The lesson explains about the prefrontal cortex, the thinking part of the brain vs. the amygdala or security guard that alerts the brain to perceived danger. To move from UPstairs Brain to DOWNstairs brain, one must practice deep breathing. Deep breathing allows the prefrontal cortex to discern if the danger is real. Deep breathing allows for the prefrontal cortex to make the best decisions and learn the most. UPstairs Brain moments happen, but knowing how to self-calm and self-regulate is a life skill, not just a skill for school experiences.

Shardlow, G. (2018). Breathing Exercise Cards for Kids. Retrieved from https://shop.kidsyogastories.com/collections/cards/products/breathing-exercise-cards-for-kids

Resources from this author are well organized and superb! She includes thirty breathing exercises in this resource. There is an index, breathing exercise tips, illustrations, and detailed information on how-to complete each breath. She modifies breathing techniques for younger children. She includes tips to further explore the breath with "variations" and "imagine" idea boxes. The print is large and easy to read. The illustrations are clear and easy to follow.

I have not used this resource with students yet. I am excited about even more ways to share with students on how to take a deep breath. It will enrich breathing centers, "time out classroom spaces," and inspire students to develop new breathing strategies.

Willard, C., Rechtschaffen, D., & Clifton-Brown, H. (2019). Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing. Boulder, Colorado, Sounds True.

Twenty-six styles of breathing are introduced, corresponding with each letter of the alphabet: Alligator Breath, Butterfly Breath . . . Yawning Breath, Zzzz Breath. Each breath has a step-by-step explanation of how to complete the breathing technique.

I used this book at Yoga Camp this past summer. I also keep it in the center for exploring breathing strategies. This also could be a helpful resource in a classroom "time out space." There are many "new" and creative ways to breathe explained (Oatmeal Breath, Superhero Breath, Teddy Bear Breath). These "new" breaths will inspire young students to create their own ways to take a deep breath.

Willey, K., & Betts, A.. (2019). Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere. New York, Rodale Kids.

Thirty mindfulness exercises are shared. The techniques presented empower children to responsibly regulate their bodies, breath, and emotions. It has beautiful, colorful, inviting illustrations that pull the reader into and through the pages of the book.

Kira Willey is a songwriter, children's music performer, and kids' yoga and mindfulness expert. She is the creator of Rockin' Yoga School Programs. If I was going to write a book, I would want it to be just like this one! So many good ideas are shared in a colorful and inviting way. I have not used this book with students yet but will include with centers for exploration of breath work. As other resources in this bibliography, I think it would be helpful in counseling students on options when experiencing UPstairs brain moments. It would also be a good tool to include in a "time out classroom space."

Other Great Books about BREATHING:

My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor

Mind Bubbles: Exploring Mindfulness with Kids by Heather Krantz, MD