Balloon Breathing

💡 About this activity

🎯 Learning objectives

• Point to a picture when choosing how to breathe.
• Try breathing in and out gently with an adult's support.
• Communicate feelings using words or gestures.

🧺 What you need

• Printed calm-down page
• A comfortable place to sit or stand

👣 How to do it

1. Put the page in a quiet, accessible place.
2. Show your child the pictures and explain that the page can help when they feel angry.
3. Invite your child to put a hand on their belly if they want to.
4. Show them how to breathe in gently through the nose, imagining their belly as a balloon filling up.
5. Point to the flower and candle. Demonstrate smelling the imaginary flower and blowing out the pretend candle.
6. Invite your child to try with you, without forcing their breath.
7. Put the page away or leave it where your child can see it and use it again when they want to.

🍎 Teaching suggestions

• Say, “It's okay to feel angry. I'm here with you.”
• Practice first during a calm moment, rather than waiting for a difficult one.
• If your child doesn't want to join in, stay nearby and offer again later.
• In a group, show the pictures and invite each child to follow along at their own pace.

🔀 Variations

💬 Talk about it

• How do you know when you're angry?
• Which picture would you like to choose now?
• How does your belly move when you breathe?
• What else helps you when you're angry?

👀 What to look for

• Notice whether your child points to a picture or makes a choice using a gesture or word.
• Notice whether they try breathing in and out with your support.
• Notice whether they communicate how they feel, even without words.