Even the rush of today’s world can overwhelm children. They have a lot on their plate, from schoolwork to extracurriculars. So, they must invest some time to help them calm and relax, this is where breathing exercises come in handy! Breathing diseases have become more common among children. These include asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergies, respiratory infections, and hypoxemia. So, practising these easy breathing exercises helps kids relax and re-centre themselves. So, without further ado, let’s introduce some fun breathing exercises for kids.
Breathing Techniques
There are many types of breathing techniques. These include diaphragmatic breathing, equal breathing, alternate nostril breathing, energising breath, and others. You can use any technique to help your kids’ breathing. Starting with deep breathing is an easy approach.
Breathing Exercises Benefits
There are several deep breathing benefits: it is easy to learn and helps children relax. It also boosts immune functions and encourages mindfulness.
- Stress Management: It manages stress and activates the body’s relaxation mechanism.
- Improves Concentration: This can help filter out distractions and improve concentration.
- Improves Physical Health: Improves lung functions, strengthens the diaphragm, and increases oxygen flow.
- Increases Sleep Quality: Reduces feelings of anxiety and calms their minds.
Some Common Approaches
- Be an Example: As you know children tend to copy adults. Be a role model for your child. Start practising breathing exercises yourself, and invite your kids to join.
- Use Storytelling: Highlight the importance of breathing exercises in their bedtime stories. Discuss and try to practise
- Set a Routine: Consistency is the key. Set a regular routine for practising these breathing exercises, to develop a habit.
- Make it a Game: The best way to make children develop an interest in anything, is to turn it into a game. It becomes easier for children to involve themselves.
Some Fun and Effective Breathing Exercises for Kids
- Bunny Breath
- Ask them to think of themselves as the cutest little bunny rabbit hopping around!
- Then ask them to take a deep breath through their nose while wrinkling up their nose like a bunny. Motivate them to feel the air filling up in their tummy.
- Afterwards, ask them to exhale through their mouth. Ask them to make a soft “hoo” sound like bunnies. Perform this several times until they start feeling calmer with each breath.
- Balloon Breath
- Ask kids to imagine a colourful inflated balloon between their hands.
- Then, allow them to take a big deep breath through their nose. Watch how it makes that belly rise as if filling a balloon inside their belly. Afterwards, ask them to exhale through pursed lips or nostrils and then watch how their belly feels.
- Do this a few times. Notice lightness descending upon oneself. Also accompanied by relaxation coursing through the entire body with every cycle completed.
- Animal Breaths
- Ask them to pick any creature. Then ask them to copy its respiratory rhythm onto theirs, i.e. Let’s say snakes are our choice today. So, breathe deeply in and out through your mouth making a soft hissing sound.
- Counting Breaths
- Have them sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Then take deep breaths while counting to themselves as they breathe in and out. For instance, one when inhaling, two when exhaling etc.
- Breaths of the senses
- They should close their eyes and breathe deeply through their noses. Let them pretend that they are smelling their favourite flower or food while taking it in.
- Then, have them think about blowing out birthday candles or bubbles when exhaling.
- Ask them to pay attention to touch and smell sensations during breathing.
- Breath of gratitude
- When breathing in deeply, let kids consider something they appreciate.
- As they breathe out, motivate them to imagine sending gratefulness all around us.
- Repeat several times.
Bunny breath is a delightful and effective exercise. It helps children connect with their breathing rhythm. It also helps to unwind and destress them.
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Benefits: It promotes deep breathing and increases body awareness. It also calms the mind and encourages creativity.
Like a balloon, the body can also expand its benefits with this exercise. It is a playful and effective way to practise deep breathing.
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Benefits: It reduces anxiety, promotes emotional regulation, encourages body awareness, and fosters creativity.
Children have always loved imitating animals. Thus, turning such activity into breathing exercises could be beneficial too.
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Benefits: This will make them enjoy themselves. It also allows them to concentrate on their own breathing pattern.
It is a simple and powerful breathing exercise. It helps children practise breathing and find moments of peace and calm.
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Benefits: It enhances self-control, promotes better sleep, and increases concentration.
It is an easy breathing exercise. It helps children connect with their bodies and surroundings.
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Benefits: This helps children relax and regain concentration. It also enhances sensory awareness and focus.
Combining respiration with gratitude is a simple breathing exercise. It enables children to learn deep breathing. It also helps them look at simple joys and blessings in their life.
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Benefits: It promotes a positive outlook, fosters empathy, and improves respiratory health.
To conclude, breathing exercises can help kids in many ways. It helps them calm themselves, pay attention and deal with anxiety. Whether it’s acting like a rabbit, blowing bubbles or counting breaths, there is a wide range of interesting breathing exercises to pick from. It’s also one of the best ways that parents can connect with their kids on an emotional level, along with fostering good mental health and valuable lifelong skills. Practising daily can have profound effects on both physical and mental well-being. It also promotes health and viability.
Along with this, giving your child an enriching education is also vital. Explore the fun-filled and nurturing environment at Kangaroo Kids. It helps unlock your child’s potential. Through engaging and innovative approaches, it provides the best start in their life. Enrol now to begin an exciting journey towards reaching new heights.
