Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Did you know you have a superpower? It’s your breath and the way you breathe! In this activity, you and your kid/s will participate in a mindful breathing exercise that will help you both learn how to shift emotional states. Using the element of earth, it explores breath and emotional regulation to help calm high-energy children, or prepare them for a task where they need to focus.

Time required: 20 minutes.

Information For Parents and Carers

To learn more about the benefits of breathing exercises, click here.

To learn about social and emotional learning, click here.

Other useful information:

  • In this activity, you will be sharing a clip with your kid/s. The clip is a guided breathing exercise which requires your kid/s to follow the instructions and actions presented in the clip. If you can, go through the breathing exercise yourself before sharing it. That way you will know what is expected of your kid/s, and be able to support them through the activities.
  • Research has shown that spending time outdoors has many benefits, especially for children. This also applies to practices like breathwork and mindfulness. Research suggests that presenting these activities outdoors may make our minds wander less, and allow us to focus more on being present. The research also suggests that mindfulness practices conducted outside can have greater benefits to mental, physical, and social health than those undertaken indoors. Find out more here and here.

Curriculum Details

EYLF Outcomes: Outcome 1.1, Outcome 3.1 Outcome 3.2, Outcome 5.1

Curriculum codes:

What You Will Need

  • A device to share a clip with children.
  • An indoor or outdoor space to do the breathing exercises.

This activity has been developed in partnership with Breath Circle, and with the support of the Phillips Foundation and the Thyne Reid Foundation.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Activity

Part A: Introduction

Step 1. You could do this activity inside or outside. Begin by telling your kid/s that they are going to do an activity about the earth. If you have a little activity or action that you use with your kid/s to focus their attention (such as three claps, three big breaths, or a mantra/statement), you could do this now.

Firstly, sit on the ground with your palms facing down. Ask your kid/s to do the same. Then, pose the following I wonder statement:

  • I wonder what is under our hands.

Lead your kid/s to the idea that under your hands is the Earth!

Tip: If you are in an apartment and are not on the ground floor, tap into your creative thinking and imagine that you’re sitting in a park—what are you sitting on? Are there trees around you? Can you hear birds?

Step 2. You can then ask your kid/s the following:

  • I wonder what we already know about the Earth.

Invite children to suggest responses.

The power of pauses - Pauses have been shown

...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Leave your Feedback

We appreciate your feedback. Let us know what you like or don't like about this activity:

Sorry. You must be logged in to view this form.