Do you have moments when it feels like the world is spinning out of control? Do the infants and toddlers in your classroom seem to be stressing you out? Believe it or not, there is a quick and easy way to help yourself and your young children regain some control. It only takes a moment and it has so many benefits! “Deep breathing (sometimes called diaphragmatic breathing) is a practice that enables more air to flow into your body and can help calm your nerves, reducing stress and anxiety. It can also help you improve your attention span and lower pain levels” (Princing, 2021). Hold that screaming infant as you breathe deeply; this helps to co-regulate the infant’s nervous system while you are calming yours. If you have a classroom of toddlers tell them that you are going to do some deep breathing and talk to them as you do it. Overemphasize each step: take a big deep breath and hold for a second, then exhale. The more you do this, the more natural it will become for you and the children in your care.
As deep breathing has become a valuable tool for early childhood educators, a variety of deep breathing versions have been created to encourage children to participate.
Videos that demonstrate some of these types:
Another way to help incorporate deep breathing is putting it to music, such as in Elmo’s Belly Breathing. Books are also great tools to use. Try:
- Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere by Kira Willey (author) and Anni Betts (illustrator)
- Breathe with Me: Using Breath to Feel Strong, Calm, and Happy by Mariam Gates (author) and Sarah Jane Hinder (illustrator)
- Elmo Is Mindful (Sesame Street): How To Stay Focused, Calm and Kind by Random House and Joe Mathieu (illustrator)
Reference:
Princing, M. (2021, September 1). This is why deep breathing makes you feel so Chill. Right as Rain by UW Medicine. https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/stress/why-deep-breathing-makes-you-feel-so-chill.
