Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Student will learn the deep breathing technique using visual cues and practice it through guided exercises and a playful bubble game to support self-regulation.
This lesson gives the student a concrete, structured tool to manage anxiety. Using visuals, guided practice, and playful games builds engagement, skill mastery, and confidence in self-regulation.
Audience
3rd Grade Student with Autism and Anxiety
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Visual demonstration, hands-on practice, and game-based reinforcement.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review Session 1 Slide Deck
- Print and prepare Deep Breathing Worksheet
- Print and cut out Breathing Awareness Cards
- Open or load Bubble Breathing Game
- Arrange a quiet, distraction-free space
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet student and build rapport with a friendly check-in
- Explain today’s goal: learning deep breathing to cope with big feelings
- Show title and agenda slide on Session 1 Slide Deck
Step 2
Teach Deep Breathing
10 minutes
- Use slides to model belly breathing: inhale through nose for 4 seconds, exhale through mouth for 4 seconds
- Demonstrate with hand on stomach to show expansion and contraction
- Practice together, using Breathing Awareness Cards to cue each step
Step 3
Guided Worksheet Practice
5 minutes
- Give student the Deep Breathing Worksheet
- Guide them to trace the breathing pattern and count breaths aloud
- Provide gentle prompts and positive feedback on accuracy
Step 4
Bubble Breathing Game
8 minutes
- Introduce Bubble Breathing Game on device or with wand and solution
- Have student take a deep breath in, then slowly exhale to create bubbles
- Encourage slow, steady breaths; celebrate each successful bubble
Step 5
Reflection and Closure
2 minutes
- Ask how the student feels after practicing deep breathing
- Reinforce that this skill can help when feeling anxious
- Praise effort and preview that next session will add mindful awareness activities
Slide Deck
Calm Champions: Session 1
Deep Breathing for Self-Regulation
Greet the student warmly. Explain that today they will learn a new way to calm their body when feeling worried or upset. Point to the title slide and set a positive tone.
Today’s Agenda
- Introduction & Goal
- What Is Deep Breathing?
- Belly Breathing Steps
- Worksheet Practice
- Bubble Breathing Game
- Reflection
Briefly walk through the plan. Emphasize that each step builds on the last, and they’ll get to play a fun bubble game at the end.
What Is Deep Breathing?
Deep breathing means taking slow, full breaths in and out to help your body relax.
Why it helps:
- Slows your heart rate
- Calms your mind
- Gives your body more oxygen
Define deep breathing in simple terms. Use calm, reassuring voice. Ask if they’ve tried taking slow breaths when upset.
How to Belly Breathe
- Place one hand on your belly.
- Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds (belly rises).
- Hold for 1 second.
- Exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds (belly falls).
- Repeat slowly.
Demonstrate placing your hand on your belly. Count aloud: 1-2-3-4 inhale, then exhale 1-2-3-4. Invite the student to join.
Using Awareness Cards
• Use a card that says “Inhale” when you breathe in.
• Use a card that says “Exhale” when you breathe out.
• Follow the cards to keep your breaths steady.
Show the Breathing Awareness Cards. Hold up the “Inhale” card, then the “Exhale” card. Let the student follow the cards’ prompts.
Worksheet Practice
Let’s trace the breathing pattern:
- Draw a big circle as you inhale for 4.
- Draw another circle as you exhale for 4.
Count each breath out loud.
Hand the student their worksheet. Guide them through tracing the breath shapes and counting aloud. Provide praise.
Bubble Breathing Game
- Dip your bubble wand in solution.
- Take a deep belly breath in.
- Slowly blow out to make bubbles.
- Watch the bubbles float away your worries!
- Celebrate each bubble!
Explain the bubble activity. If using a wand, demonstrate first: inhale deep, then exhale slowly to blow bubbles. Encourage gentle, slow exhale.
Reflection
• How do you feel after practicing?
• When could you use deep breathing?
• What did you like best?
Use open questions. Give the student time to share. Reinforce that they did great and can use this anytime they feel anxious.
Great Job!
You practiced deep breathing like a Calm Champion!
See you next session for mindful awareness activities.
Praise the student’s effort. Preview Session 2: “Next time, we’ll learn a fun mindfulness activity.” Dismiss with positivity.
Worksheet
Deep Breathing Worksheet
Instructions
Follow these steps to practice belly breathing:
- Inhale through your nose for a slow count of 4.
- Exhale through your mouth for a slow count of 4.
- Trace each circle below while you breathe.
Practice Round 1
Inhale (count 1-2-3-4): Trace the circle below as you breathe in slowly.
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Exhale (count 1-2-3-4): Trace the circle below as you breathe out slowly.
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Practice Round 2
Inhale (count 1-2-3-4): Trace the circle below as you breathe in slowly.
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Exhale (count 1-2-3-4): Trace the circle below as you breathe out slowly.
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Practice Round 3
Inhale (count 1-2-3-4): Trace the circle below as you breathe in slowly.
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Exhale (count 1-2-3-4): Trace the circle below as you breathe out slowly.
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Reflection Questions
- How do you feel after practicing deep breathing?
2. When might you use this deep breathing skill?
Drawing Activity
Draw a picture of a calm place in your mind.
Activity
Bubble Breathing Game
Objective
Student will practice controlled deep breathing by using exhalation to create bubbles, reinforcing slow, steady breaths in a fun, sensory activity.
Why
Blowing bubbles encourages the student to exhale slowly and steadily. This playful game turns a coping skill into a motivating, hands-on experience that builds confidence in using deep breathing to manage anxiety.
Materials
- Bubble wand and solution
- Small shallow bowl or tray for solution
- Towel or wipes for spills
Teacher Preparation (5 minutes)
- Pour bubble solution into a shallow bowl or tray.
- Place bubble wand nearby.
- Arrange a clear, open area (preferably outdoors or on a washable surface).
- Keep a towel or wipes ready for cleanup.
Instructions
-
Introduction (2 minutes)
- Explain: “We’re going to make bubbles using our deep breathing skills!”
- Remind the student of the belly-breathing steps: inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds.
-
Demonstration (3 minutes)
- Model the activity: dip wand in solution, take a deep belly breath in, then gently blow out to make bubbles.
- Think aloud: “I’m feeling calm as I blow slowly.”
-
Guided Practice (10 minutes)
- Invite the student to dip the wand and practice:
• Breathe in through nose for a count of 4 (hand on belly).
• Slowly blow out through mouth to form bubbles. - Offer prompts: “Breathe out like you’re gently blowing a feather.”
- Celebrate each successful bubble: “Great job! Look at that bubble float away!”
- Invite the student to dip the wand and practice:
-
Challenge and Variation (8 minutes)
- Try different bubble sizes:
• Big breaths for big bubbles
• Little breaths for tiny bubbles - Count how many bubbles they can make in one breath.
- Incorporate a “bubble race”: who can make the biggest bubble or the most bubbles?
- Try different bubble sizes:
-
Reflection and Closure (7 minutes)
- Ask:
• “How did your body feel when you blew the bubbles?”
• “Which breath helped you make the biggest bubble?”
• “When could you use bubble breathing if you felt worried?” - Reinforce: “This fun bubble game is another way to practice calm breathing.”
- Praise effort and remind the student they can use this anytime they want to feel calm.
- Ask: