Breathing Techniques to Calm
Visual guides for breathing techniques to help students self-regulate.
When to use:
- Use as part of a self-management system.
- Use to help focus. Use to help de-escalate.
Tips:
- If you have a break or cool down area in your classroom, try posting the visuals there.
- Provide visuals to the home environment as well.
How to teach:
- Show the student a calming breathing visual at a time when they are not upset.
- Model using the visual by tracing the path with your finger and following the instructions for inhaling and exhaling.
- Ask the student to practice using the visual, helping them move their finger along the path as needed.
- Explain how deep, slow breaths can send a message to the brain that helps the body relax, calm their mind, and facilitate emotional regulation.
- Tell them that this is something they can do quietly at any time during the day.
Variations:
- Breathing Square
- Lazy 8