This is a short mindful breathing exercise called The Breathing Bell. This activity encourages children to use their imaginations to pause and deep belly breathe. This activity is designed to go alongside A Feelings Book for Children: The Feelings Hotel.
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Breathing is important in our daily lives, it can help us manage our emotions. When things get tough or we feel down, we can choose to take a moment to breathe. Focusing on your breath can help you feel calmer and more in control.
Ready to Relax? Let’s try the Breathing Bell
The Breathing Bell activity teaches us to pause and take a breath. It could help us to notice what feelings have checked in or maybe we just need a little break during the day.
What you’ll need:
- Optional: A Feelings Book for Children: The Feelings Hotel
- A bell (the hotel desk ones are really fun to use, children love them!)
- Resources to try my Easy Paper Plate Feelings Craft afterwards
Instructions:
- First find a comfortable place to sit or lie down.
- “Imagine a bell in your mind and give it a gentle ding.” If you have a bell you can demonstrate with it.
- Take a deep breath in through your nose, filling up your belly with air like a balloon.
- Slowly exhale through your mouth, imagining you are blowing out a candle.
- Repeat this several times, focusing on the sensation of your breath and how it fills your body.
You’ll Love: Fuzzy Feelings Emotion Cards with Free Printable they are great to use alongside this activity.
As you practice breathing with your child, encourage them to notice how their body feels before and after taking a few deep breaths.
This can help them become more aware of their emotions and how they can use breathing to manage them. Remember, it’s never too early to start practicing mindfulness and self-regulation! Take Care Emma xx
