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For
Educators
For
Parents
-Deep
Breathing
-Positive
Self-talk & Affirmation Use
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Affirmation Design
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Affirmation Word List
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For
Parents:
Deep Breathing For Children
Breathing is so awesome because it is
a technique that is always available to
children. Deep breathing sends the
message to our body that we want to
relax. The body uses deep breathing as a
signal. These signals are important in
times of stress, when experiencing
intense feelings, and to get ready for
restful sleep. Children can use these
breathing tools wherever they are and
whenever without drawing attention or
embarrassment. They are secret. And
secrets and magic tricks are usually
considered “cool.” Breathing techniques
can be presented in just that way.
We are all born belly breathers.
Usually by the time we are six or so, we
become shallow chest breathers. The
trouble with chest breathing is that our
body does not get the full amount of
oxygen that is necessary to keep all of
our cells operating at optimal levels.
When we re-learn to belly breathe, we
are teaching our body to relax, but
providing much needed oxygen supply at
the same time.
Teaching children how to breathe deeply
involves more than just stating the
command. When we say to breathe deep,
children often raise their shoulders up
to their ears, which inspires some
tension in the neck area. Rather than a
shoulder shrug, we want to emphasize the
movement of the tummy. When we do deep
abdominal breathing, our abdomen
actually expands on the in breath and
contracts on the out breath. Observation
is the first step. For young children,
place a sticker on the tummy, (for older
children perhaps a tatoo or design drawn
in eye pencil will work). Now to the
count of three, take a deep breath and
watch the sticker rise up. Now, let the
breath out slowly and watch the sticker
fall down. Place a hand on the tummy and
practice again. Finally, give a stuffed
animal a ride on your tummy for further
understanding.
Additional Activities:
**Choose your favorite items of
smell, (eg. flower, candle, cinnamon
container, smelly sticker),and
practice taking deep breaths while
smelling the sticker
**Make fun colorful cards that
state: “ I remember to breathe” and
place various places for reminders
throughout the day to take breathing
time-outs
A fun book to read about deep
breathing:
 A
Boy and A Bear The Children’s Relaxation
Book by Lori Lite
Please visit
www.likebooks.net
for additional product information.
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