Introduction
As educators, we know the importance of finding ways to help our students focus and calm their minds. This is where principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) come in handy. One effective and engaging technique for students is animal breathing exercises. In this blog post, we will explore two fun animal breathing exercises: Dragon Breathing and Bee Breathing. These exercises can be easily incorporated into your classroom routine and can help students find focus and calmness.
No-Prep Activity: Dragon and Bee Breathing
This simple, no-prep activity is perfect for introducing your students to the calming effects of animal breathing. The best part is that it requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Here’s how to do it:
- Dragon Breathing: Instruct your students to wiggle their fingers like a dragon with long claws. Have them take a big breath in, then stick out their tongues and let out all their fire air as they exhale. Repeat this process two more times.
- Bee Breathing: Ask your students to take a big breath in through their noses. Then, with their mouths closed, have them hum or buzz like a bee until they run out of air. Repeat this process two more times.
Encourage your students to practice these animal breathing exercises whenever they need to feel calm or focused. The more they practice, the more effective the techniques will become!
Discussion Questions
- How do Dragon Breathing and Bee Breathing help you feel more focused and calm?
- What other animals can you think of that might have interesting breathing techniques?
- How can you incorporate these animal breathing exercises into your daily routine?
- Why is it important to find ways to help ourselves feel calm and focused?
- What other calming techniques have you tried, and how do they compare to animal breathing exercises?
Related Skills
Along with Dragon and Bee Breathing, there are many other SEL techniques that can help students find calmness and focus. Some related skills include:
- Mindful listening
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Visualization exercises
- Yoga and stretching
Next Steps
If you’re interested in learning more about Dragon and Bee Breathing and other SEL techniques, we encourage you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can help you incorporate SEL principles into your classroom and support your students’ emotional well-being. Start exploring today and help your students develop the skills they need for success in and out of the classroom.
