School and at home learning can be stressful for your lucky little learners. Being mindful and teaching your students how to be responsible for their own learning and well-being in the classroom is so important. This is something we emphasize in our SEL Curriculum for 1st and 2nd Grade. One way to help your students stay calm and mindful is using breathing techniques for kids. Teaching breathing techniques is not just about remaining calm, however. When you introduce these, it’s OK to be super silly and overdramatic. Practice these breathing techniques before students need them to calm themselves down.

If you aren't a member of The Encouraging Classroom yet, don't fret! These breathing techniques can still be used! We have put together some of our favorites below.

Lazy 8 Breathing

Lazy 8 breathing is all about the figure 8. Form the 8 with the motions of your hand, and teach your kids with four simple steps. Who knew math could be so calming?

1. Put your finger in the air and place it at the top of the number eight. 

2. Breathe in slowly while drawing the number eight in the air. 

3. Once you get back to the top, slowly breathe out while tracing the number eight again. 

4. Repeat as many times as necessary.

Bubble Breathing

Don’t worry! There are no messy bubbles involved with this breathing technique. Your kids will be bubble breathing and getting ready to make learning relaxing and fun. This technique helps them slow and control their breathing. Here are the steps to this breathing technique. 

1. Imagine you have a wand to blow bubbles. 

2. Take a deep breath in through your nose. 

3. Slowly breathe out through your mouth as if you are blowing a bubble through a wand. 

4. Repeat as many times as necessary.

Remind them to blow too hard, or they will pop the bubble!

Soup Breathing

Soup is one warm, yummy food that can calm me down! What about soup breathing for your lucky little learners? Get those imaginary oven mitts on and teach your students some soup breathing (no noodles necessary). Soup not your thing? Name the technique after any hot food (warm chocolate chip cookies, hot cocoa, or any delicious warm food your heart and stomach desires)! Get started with this hot breathing technique with these simple steps. 

1. Imagine you are holding a bowl of hot soup in your hands. 

2. Slowly breathe in through your nose to smell the delicious soup. 

3. Slowly breathe out through your mouth to cool down the hot soup. 

4. Repeat as many times as necessary.

Rainbow Breathing

Rainbow breathing is all about inhaling and exhaling. A rainbow is a symbol of calm after a storm, and using rainbow breathing will help your students stay calm when things get tough. These easy steps will have your students ready for the school day.

1. Imagine a rainbow in the air in front of you. 

2. Move your finger from left to right to trace the rainbow while you inhale slowly through your nose. 

3. Move your finger from right to left to trace the rainbow while you exhale slowly through your mouth. 

4. Repeat as many times as necessary.

The most important thing to remember when teaching breathing techniques for kids is to model the techniques with your students and meet them where they are at. These are super techniques to use when students are hyper, upset, or angry. All of these breathing techniques (and several more) are in poster form along with an instructional video in the SEL Curriculum for 1st and 2nd Grade. You’ll find these and more resources on character, mindfulness, and more to help your students stay calm have an outstanding school year. Check out the SEL Curriculum below:

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