Daily Activity for Kids – Day 45 – Balloon Breath Mindfulness Activity
During this COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are home with their children and looking for things to do. This is a daily post to give you ideas of fun things to do. It comes from activities that we implement at our daycare centre using our Four Pillars of Learning curriculum. Since we are closed during this time, we are sharing the activity for you to implement in your own home. Enjoy!
Daily Activity for Kids – Balloon Breath Mindfulness Activity
Mindfulness is growing in popularity just about everywhere. Parenting and early childhood settings are no exception. There is good reason for this enthusiasm. Mindfulness has been used with adults to reduce stress, bolster overall health and psychological functioning, and assist a return to wellness following adversity. We are learning that mindfulness may also support healthy adult-child relationships.
Mindfulness is noticing what’s going on outside—and inside—of us with acceptance and kindness. As mindful parents, we can be curious and open to understanding what our children are feeling and experiencing. This mindfulness exercise is designed to help both parent and child experience a sense of calm connection.
Balloon Breath: In this practice, use deep breathing and movement together to calm your mind and body. Show how to do it and have your child copy you.
- You can sit or stand up.
- Place both hands on top of your head.
- Begin to breathe in and out slowly. As you inhale, raise your arms above your head, like you are blowing up a balloon. When your lungs are full of air, your arms should look like a big, round balloon on top of your head.
- As you exhale, slowly bring your hands toward your head. Do your best to match the timing of your inhale with raising your arms up and the timing of your exhale with bringing your arms back down.
- Try to deepen your breath with each inhale as you’re able.
- Continue with this breath and arm movement 2-4 more times.
- On the last breath, press your lips together and blow the air out, making a silly sound.
For more information about mindfulness in the early years, visit the website: www.zerotothree.org/resources/series/mindfulness-in-early-childhood
This daily kids activity incorporates many learning areas based on our Four Pillars of Learning curriculum including: physical activity and mindfulness.