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Breathe With the Season

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Lesson Plan

Breathe With the Season

Learn calming breathing techniques

This lesson introduces young learners to breathing exercises that align with the rhythm of the holidays. Through playful, guided breathing actions mimicking snowflakes, winter winds, and cozy fires, students learn to manage excitement and emotions using breathing as a calming tool. This lesson is important as it helps students develop self-regulation skills and emotional awareness, which are crucial for their social-emotional development.

Audience

Pre-K and Kindergarten Students

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Learn calming breathing techniques

Materials

Soft music (optional), Open space for movement, and Printable breathing cards

Step 1

Introduction to Breathing

3 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle on the floor.
  • Explain that today they will learn fun ways to breathe that can help them feel calm and happy.
  • Briefly introduce the concept of breathing exercises and how they can help us feel better.

Step 2

Snowflake Breathing

5 minutes

  • Demonstrate how to take a deep breath in and slowly release it, like a snowflake gently falling to the ground.
  • Encourage students to imagine they are snowflakes, taking deep breaths in and out.
  • Practice together, using soft music if desired.

Step 3

Winter Wind Breathing

5 minutes

  • Explain how the winter wind can be strong and then gentle.
  • Guide students to take a big breath in and blow out like a strong wind, then a gentle breeze.
  • Practice this breathing pattern together, emphasizing control and calmness.

Step 4

Cozy Fire Breathing

5 minutes

  • Ask students to imagine sitting by a warm, cozy fire.
  • Instruct them to breathe in deeply, feeling the warmth, and breathe out slowly, like the crackling of the fire.
  • Practice this breathing exercise together, focusing on relaxation.

Step 5

Closure and Reflection

2 minutes

  • Gather students back in a circle.
  • Ask them how they feel after the exercises and if they have a favorite breathing technique.
  • Encourage them to use these breathing exercises whenever they feel excited or need to calm down.
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Worksheet

Printable Breathing Cards

These cards provide visual cues for each breathing exercise, helping students remember the techniques.




Snowflake Breathing: Imagine you're a snowflake, gently falling.







Winter Wind Breathing: Breathe like a strong wind, then a gentle breeze.







Cozy Fire Breathing: Feel the warmth of a cozy fire as you breathe.




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