Introduction

Deep breathing is a powerful tool that can help students in special education control their worries, anger, and fears while promoting a calm and focused mindset. One effective deep breathing technique is Box Breathing, which is easy to learn and practice. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of Box Breathing for students in special education, introduce a no-prep activity to teach the technique, provide discussion questions, and mention related skills that can further support students’ social-emotional development.

No-Prep Activity: Box Breathing Exercise

This Box Breathing exercise requires no preparation or materials from the educator and can be practiced anywhere, anytime. Here are the steps to teach Box Breathing to your students:

1. Ask students to get comfortable in their chairs, sit up tall, and relax their shoulders.
2. Explain that they will be picturing a box or tracing one on the table, their hand, or their arm.
3. Instruct students to start at the lower corner of the box and breathe in for a slow count of four seconds as their finger traces up the side of the box.
4. Have students hold their breath for four seconds, then breathe out for four seconds as they trace the next side of the box.
5. Repeat the process until the entire box has been traced, completing one Box Breathing cycle.
6. Encourage students to practice Box Breathing a few times, repeating the cycle as needed until they feel calm.

Box Breathing can be a valuable tool for students to use whenever they feel upset, nervous, worried, or simply need to relax and refocus their minds.

Discussion Questions

1. How did you feel before and after practicing Box Breathing? Did you notice any changes in your emotions or thoughts?
2. Can you think of a situation where Box Breathing might be helpful for you? How could you use this technique to manage your emotions and stay calm?
3. Why is it important to practice deep breathing techniques like Box Breathing? How can it support our overall well-being and ability to learn?
4. What other techniques or strategies can help us stay calm and focused in challenging situations?
5. How can we support each other in using Box Breathing and other calming techniques in our daily lives?

Related Skills

In addition to Box Breathing, there are other skills that can help students in special education develop a calm and focused mindset. Some of these related skills include:

• Mindfulness and meditation practices to increase self-awareness and promote relaxation.
• Progressive muscle relaxation to release physical tension and reduce stress.
• Positive self-talk and affirmations to boost confidence and self-esteem.
• Active listening and communication skills to improve understanding and empathy in social interactions.
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution strategies to address challenges in a constructive and collaborative manner.

Next Steps

If you’re interested in exploring more activities and resources to support your students’ social-emotional learning, we invite you to sign up for free samples of various skills, including Box Breathing and others, at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these valuable techniques and strategies into your teaching, you can help your students in special education develop the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and resilience.