Introduction
Stress and overwhelm can sometimes make it difficult for students to control their thoughts and maintain focus in the classroom. In such situations, practicing a simple technique like Counting Breaths can be highly beneficial. Counting Breaths is an easy, no-prep activity that helps students slow down their minds and regulate their breathing, contributing to their overall well-being and academic performance. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of Counting Breaths and provide a step-by-step guide for educators to implement this technique in their classrooms.
No-Prep Activity: Counting Breaths
Counting Breaths is a straightforward activity that requires no preparation or materials. Here’s how to guide your students through the process:
- Ask your students to sit in a comfortable seated position with their arms hanging down by their sides or resting gently on their knees.
- Encourage them to shrug their shoulders up to their ears and let them drop, releasing any tension they may be carrying.
- Instruct your students to take a few deep breaths on their own, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
- On their next inhale, they should say the number one in their head, and on the exhale, feel the muscles in their face relax.
- Continue counting on each inhale, feeling different parts of the body relax with each exhale.
- After a few rounds of counting, encourage students to sync their breathing with your counting out loud, focusing on how their body feels and keeping their minds clear.
Practicing Counting Breaths regularly can help students manage stress, improve focus, and enhance their overall well-being.
Discussion Questions
Stimulate further discussions among your students with these questions:
- How did you feel before and after practicing Counting Breaths? Did you notice any changes in your stress levels or focus?
- What other situations or environments can you think of where practicing Counting Breaths might be helpful?
- Why do you think focusing on our breath and counting can help us manage stress and improve focus?
- How can practicing mindfulness techniques like Counting Breaths contribute to a positive classroom environment?
- Can you think of any other mindfulness activities that might help you manage stress and improve focus?
Related Skills
In addition to Counting Breaths, there are several other skills and techniques that can help students manage stress, improve focus, and foster a positive learning environment. These include:
- Mindful listening
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Visualization techniques
- Yoga and stretching exercises
- Gratitude journaling
Next Steps
If you’re interested in exploring more activities and techniques like Counting Breaths to support your students’ social-emotional learning, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. You’ll gain access to a variety of resources designed to help you incorporate stress management, mindfulness, and other essential skills into your classroom.
