Breathing Activity Cards
Make a set of activity cards to help practice breathing techniques with young children. Learn how breathing techniques can support young children at
Becker’s Blog, Breathing to Balance: The Power of Breath in Regulation.
Ages/Grades
Toddler (with supervision & support)
Preschool
Early Elementary
Learning Domains
Social Emotional, Science, Language Development, Fine Motor, Creative Arts
Materials:
- • Sturdy paper such as cardstock, watercolor paper, or recycled cardboard
- • Materials to add texture to outlines (white glue, glitter glue, oil pastel)
- • Materials to add color (crayons, markers, paint, paint sticks, etc.)
- • Optional: Download Becker’s Breathing Activity Cards and print on sturdy paper to use as a template.
Ready, Set, Create!
Gather and prepare materials. If using recycled cardboard, cut to size.
Place hand in the middle of the paper and trace an outline.
Use art materials to add color and designs.
Follow the outline with liquid glue, or trace again with a crayon or oil pastel. Other options to add additional texture include using glitter glue or adding yarn along the glue outline.
Use the textured outline to practice the Hand Breathing Technique, inhaling as you trace up each finger, and exhaling as you trace down.
Use the textured outline to practice the Hand Breathing Technique, inhaling as you trace up each finger, and exhaling as you trace down.
Hand Breathing Instructions
Using their own hand or a visual guide, prompt children to trace along the outside of their hand with their finger, inhaling deeply as they trace up to the tip of each finger, and fully exhaling as they trace to the bottom of each finger. Repeat for all five fingers.
Optional: Add arrows around outline to help prompt inhales and exhales.
Engage Children in Conversation
Do certain colors remind us of specific feelings?
Do you think colors can affect how you feel?
What colors do you think of when you imagine feeling happy and calm?
Do you think we could choose colors, patterns or shapes to embellish our Breathing Cards that will help us feel more calm and relaxed?
Extensions
Make cards as visual guides for additional breathing techniques. Brainstorm with children to come up with images that would be helpful as they move through the steps of various breathing exercises.