I love the glitter jar! The school counselor, Michele Bourgeois, LCSW, at my school uses this in her groups. She also created the gorgeous example in the picture!!! Use this jar to begin relaxation practice. It is a wonderful way for kids to have a visual...
Take time out for a little R&R and a calming break with your child. This book is not only for the children in your life, it is also for you! Deep Breathing for Kids is a collection of many of the breathing activities I have shared here on this blog over the years,...
For some children, the concept of taking a deep breath is difficult to understand. When I am working with some kids, especially kids with an autism spectrum disorder, they respond especially well to the use of a visual aid in order to fully understand new...
The balloon breath is a fun way to describe a diaphragmatic breath. I like to show kids a picture of the diaphragm and explain that it is the long, flat muscle beneath the lungs and above the belly button that is responsible for pushing the air out of the lungs during...
Take off into relaxation today! Explain to your child that you are going to practice a deep breath like a rocket. While he inhales, taking air into his lungs, you will sound the count down until take off when he exhales, letting the air out of his lungs. Invite your...
Have your child gently close her eyes and imagine that she is lying under a rainbow. Tell her that you are going to practice breathing the colors in out while thinking certain thoughts. Encourage her to allow her body to relax and to “melt” into the floor, letting...
Here's a quick way to integrate relaxation practice into your daily routine with your child, especially during the busy holiday season. Use bath time! Bubble baths are the perfect place to practice deep breathing. This activity is especially nice when the weather...
Snake Hiss I like to practice breathing like a snake with students at school. To begin, I ask them what kind of snake they would like to be for the day. I get all kinds of fun answers like cobras, pythons, boa constrictors, and rattlers. The other day, one...
Scratch and sniff stickers are a BIG hit in my relaxation classes. They are colorful, come in a variety of "smells," and are fun to stick as reminders to slow down and take a deep breath. We also use them for mindfulness practice. The stickers are a great tool to...
In my school this week, we are taking a dip in the sea of standardized testing. It is our yearly state assessment time. Students and staff alike are feeling the change in schedules, routines and the effects of hours of testing. I have been visiting third and fourth...
