Introduction
Teaching social-emotional skills to young children is an essential part of their overall development. One effective technique for helping children manage stress and regulate their emotions is belly breathing. In this blog post, we will explore how to introduce belly breathing to Kindergarten students through an engaging no-prep activity, discuss related skills, and provide resources for further learning.
No-Prep Activity
Introduce belly breathing to your students using a simple storytelling activity. Begin by explaining that sometimes, we all feel scared or angry, and our hearts beat faster. Belly breathing can help us feel calm again.
- Ask the students to sit comfortably and place their hands on their bellies.
- Invite them to breathe in through their nose, feeling their bellies rise, and then breathe out through their mouth, feeling their bellies fall.
- Tell a short story involving two characters, Shelly and Terrance. Describe a situation where Shelly feels scared, and guide the students through belly breathing to help her feel calm.
- Next, describe a situation where Terrance feels angry and doesn’t use belly breathing. Discuss how he reacts and how he could have used belly breathing to keep his mind and body calm.
- Finally, tell the story of Terrance using belly breathing to help him feel calm and focused.
This activity helps students understand the importance of belly breathing in managing their emotions and provides them with a practical tool they can use in their daily lives.
Discussion Questions
- How did Shelly feel when she was scared, and how did belly breathing help her?
- What happened when Terrance didn’t use belly breathing when he was angry?
- How did Terrance feel after using belly breathing?
- Can you think of a time when you felt scared or angry? How could belly breathing have helped you?
- Why is it important to practice belly breathing regularly?
Related Skills
Belly breathing is just one technique that can help young children develop their social-emotional skills. Other relevant skills for students include:
- Identifying and expressing emotions
- Developing empathy and understanding others’ feelings
- Practicing active listening and effective communication
- Building resilience and coping with challenges
- Working cooperatively with peers
By incorporating these skills into your teaching, you can help your students develop a strong foundation for emotional regulation and healthy relationships.
Next Steps
Ready to explore more social-emotional learning activities for your Kindergarten students? Sign up for free samples of skill-building resources and other materials at Everyday Speech. These resources are designed to support educators in teaching essential skills that help children thrive in school and beyond.
