Introduction

Young children often experience stress and anxiety in their daily lives, whether it’s due to academic pressure, social situations, or simply navigating new experiences. As educators, we can help kindergarten students develop coping skills to manage these feelings. One effective method is teaching them a simple breathing exercise to regain control and calm down during stressful moments.

No-Prep Activity: The 5-5 Breathing Technique

This activity requires no preparation or materials, making it an easy addition to any classroom routine. The 5-5 breathing technique is a simple exercise that can help students manage their emotions and regain control during stressful situations. Here’s how it works:

1. Ask the students to sit comfortably in their chairs with their feet flat on the floor and hands resting on their laps.
2. Guide them to take a deep breath in through their nose while counting to five.
3. Have them hold the breath for a moment, then exhale slowly through their mouth while counting down from five.
4. Encourage them to repeat this process a few times until they feel calmer and more focused.

This breathing technique can be practiced in the classroom, during transitions, or as a calming strategy whenever students feel overwhelmed or anxious.

Discussion Questions

After practicing the 5-5 breathing technique, engage the students in a discussion with the following questions:

1. How did you feel before and after practicing the breathing exercise? Did you notice any changes in your emotions or body?
2. Can you think of a time when you felt stressed or anxious? How could you have used the 5-5 breathing technique to help you cope?
3. Why is it important to learn how to manage our emotions and stress levels?
4. What other strategies can we use to help us calm down when we feel overwhelmed?
5. How can we support our friends or classmates when they are feeling stressed or anxious?

Related Skills

In addition to the 5-5 breathing technique, there are other relevant skills that can help kindergarten students develop healthy coping strategies for stress and anxiety. Some of these skills include:

• Mindfulness and meditation
• Positive self-talk
• Identifying and expressing emotions
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Developing healthy habits, such as exercise and proper nutrition

Next Steps

Teaching kindergarten students how to manage stress and anxiety is an essential part of their social-emotional development. By incorporating the 5-5 breathing technique and other coping strategies, you can help your students build a strong foundation for emotional well-being. To access free sample materials on this skill and others, sign up at Everyday Speech today.