• About
  • NEW Digital Handwriting Workshop
    • How to Teach Handwriting to Kids VIDEO
    • Printable Handwriting Handouts
    • Handwriting Letter Progression
  • SHOP
  • Want online therapy services?

Kids Play Smarter

Maximizing your child's play with purposeful activities

  • Fine Motor Activities
  • Gross Motor Activities
  • Handwriting Help
  • Sensory Regulation
  • Therapist’s Tips
You are here: Home / Sensory Regulation / 3 Games for Calmer Breathing

3 Games for Calmer Breathing

April 28, 2016 by Amy Smith

Breathing is one of the effective yet most often forgotten strategies to help regulate your sensory system. Most kids overlook breathing because, to be quite honest, breathing can be BORING! The last thing a child wants to hear when they are angry, stressed, anxious, or fidgety are the words “just slow down and breath” because in that moment, it’s so difficult to do. Learn how these 3 simplistic yet motivating straw games lead to calmer breathing. Other games you mish to try include a ‘Make Photo Puzzle‘. I’ll have more information on this in a future post!

Sensory based calming breathing activity that helps relax kids while holding their attention with 3 fun games using straws

 

Game #1- Fill the cup

Start by scattering several small scrap pieces of paper around an empty cup. Instruct your child to use the straw to suck the paper onto one end of the straw and blow it out into the cup. For a richer sensory experience, position the child prone (on their belly) over a therapy ball to optimize the sensory benefits. This position will provide proprioception input (helps with calming), vestibular input (help with body coordination/movements), weight bearing on hands (helps with calming and hand strength), and deep pressure (helps with calming).

 

prone over therapy ball
Fill the cup over a therapy ball = extra sensory input!

 

straw game in prone
Fill the cup game in prone (on belly)- another great position

Game #2- Fill in the Picture

Draw a large shape or picture on a paper and fill in the space with glue. Next, scatter small pieces of paper around the picture and ask the child to breath in through the straw to suck up the paper and then blow out to drop the paper off the straw into the glue. Continue until all the pieces have covered the glue spaces and the picture has been filled in.

straw game glue initial

 

straw game glued heart

 

 

Game #3- Relay Races

Start with several small pieces of paper cut into squares and scatter them on a desk or table. Next place a small box several feet away from the table. Have the child use the straw to suck up the paper and walk it to the box and blow the paper out into the box. Walk back to the desk and repeat until all of the pieces are in the box.

 

straw relay race

 

Again, when your child is upset, anxious, stressed, or irritable, use simple games such as these to help them calm down. Too much cognitive stimulation will likely only cause increased stress, anxiety, or frustration. Try these breathing games in conjunction with other calming activities such as calming joint compressions, or calming cookie dough to maximize results. If after attempting calming games does not routinely provide relief for your child’s anxiety, stress, or frustration, you may want to consider seeking professional therapy services. Professional, real-life therapists are treating kids online, find out more from here about Better Help.

Caution- As with all activities on this blog, supervision is recommended for this activity. In the unlikely event that your child starts feeling dizzy, light-headed, or having difficulty breathing, stop the activity and seek medical attention.


Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: breathing games, Calming activity, child's behavior

Disclaimer

Kids Play Smarter is a blog about general ideas, theories, and concepts related to the field of occupational therapy and the growth and development of all children. The information presented on this blog is not intended to serve as or replace occupational therapy services for your child. The information on this blog is for entertainment, informational, and educational purposes only. This blog is not meant to replace formal professional consultation or evaluation from a qualified clinician. All children need to have the approval of a physician to participate in physical activities, including those described on this blog. In addition, children need to be supervised by a responsible adult at ALL times when completing activities that are illustrated and described on this blog. The author of this blog is NOT responsible or liable for any damage, injury, accident, illness, death, or adverse reaction due to participation in the activities described on the website.

Comments

  1. Jessica says

    February 21, 2017 at 11:34 am

    Thanks for very useful & easy breathing exercise for my kid also check out simple breathing exercise videos

    • Amy SmithAmy Smith says

      February 22, 2017 at 2:09 am

      Yes- Thanks for reading Jessica!

Welcome to Kids Play Smarter

Amy Smith I am an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children. I created this website to offer parents, teachers, and therapists FREE ideas, strategies, and activities that they can do with their children to improve their fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, academic learning, and regulate their sensory system all while "playing" (just playing smarter)! Read More…

Top Posts

Joint Compressions for Calming
How to Keep Writing on the Lines
Calming "Cookie Dough"
8 Best Kids Calming Ideas

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...