Emotion regulation with children's breathing exercises: simple and effective!

Children experience the world around them intensely.
Emotions can sometimes be overwhelming, and as a parent, you want nothing more than to help them cope with these feelings. An effective way to do this is through breathing exercises.
👉 These simple, yet powerful techniques can make a world of difference in managing stress, anxiety, or sadness. And the beauty is that it is just as accessible for children as it is for adults.

Perhaps you've already said the following to your child:

"Just be calm and take a deep breath."

But have you ever considered how deeply you breathe in stressful situations?
🙏 Breathing is often an underestimated power, and I would love to show you how you and your children can discover this power.

The woodcutter's breath: a simple powerful technique

One of the exercises I'd like to share with you is the "woodcutter's breath."

1. Stand with both feet firmly on the ground, spread apart.
2. Clasp your hands together in front of you.
3. Inhale through your nose and bring both clasped hands above your head as if holding an axe.
4. Now exhale through your mouth, throw your hands down and chop a large block of wood in two with your axe.
5. As you do this, shout briefly and powerfully "HA!"
6. Repeat this 3 times.

Why is this breathing good for Children?

The woodcutter's breath is not only fun for children, but it also helps to channel emotions and make them disappear. By actively using their hands and voice, children learn to control their breathing and at the same time focus their attention. Moreover, they can symbolically chop away something that bothers them, such as an unpleasant event or an annoying feeling.

For example, you can ask your child to draw an event they didn't like on a piece of paper. They can place this on the ground and imaginatively chop it away with the axe.

Breathing Coloring Pages Pack: breathing exercises for children

Our digital Breathing Coloring Pages Pack contains 12 unique coloring pages with breathing exercises that you can print yourself. It's a great way to explore the world of breathing with your children while being creative at the same time.

👉 Download now our complete Breathing Coloring Pages Pack and enjoy 12 unique breathing exercises that are both calming and stimulating for your children's imagination.

Love

Liesbeth