Teaching Breath Awareness to Young Children

Breath is vital for survival, yet the average human being uses only 7% of their lung capacity with each breath. No wonder so many people suffer from feelings of fatigue and dis-ease.

The impact of the breath upon the body can be life-changing, not only for adults, but also for children. In a society where respiratory conditions, attention disorders, emotional trauma and general stress levels seem to be continually rising, the use of breath is critical in helping young people to cope and invite ease into their lives. Imagine the benefits for your child if they were taught to breathe consciously, with awareness and control. 

What can conscious breathing offer children?

Amongst other things, conscious breathing provides:

• Increased oxygen delivery to all parts of the body, helping with cellular regeneration and maintenance of health and well-being.
• Removal of toxins from the body.
• Increased blood flow, resulting in higher, more sustainable energy levels, enabling focus and concentration.
• Reduction of stress through inviting calm and a sense of balance into the mind and body.
• Strengthened immune systems.
• Improved speech through controlled inhalation and exhalation.
• Opportunities to self-regulate emotions in times of stress or frustration.

How can you teach your young child to breathe?

Very young children should explore breath through the use of their mouth, however, once a child is around six to eight years of age, focus can change to inhaling and exhaling through the nose. Awareness is best taught through games and fun activities.  Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Blowing feathers:

• Place a feather in your child’s cupped hands and ask them to use their breath to make it ‘dance’. Breath needs to be slow and gentle so that the feather doesn’t fly out.
• Ask your child to blow a feather up into the sky and use their breath to keep it floating high.
• Have races, blowing feathers along the floor or table.
• Ask your child to lie on their back, hold a feather over their mouth and blow it up into the sky – how long can they keep it there?

Other ideas:

• Blow bubbles – guide your child to decide what type of breath works best – fast or slow?
• Balloon breathing – first demonstrate the breath using a real balloon, then tell your child to pretend their belly is a big balloon. Can they make it blow up big and strong? Tell them to breathe out and watch it disappear.
• Have your child lie down on their back and place a soft toy on their belly – tell them to watch it go up and down as they breathe.
• Blow a pinwheel – make it go fast and slow.
• Play humming games – tell your child to take a big breath in and then ‘hum’ it all the way out. Place their hands on their ears so they can feel the vibration as their lips tickle.
• Practise the lion breath – have your child kneel down with their hands on their knees. Tell them to take a big breath in, stick their tongue out and roar. This is a great breathing practice to help with frustration or anger.

Always remember to chat with your child during the activities. Language is so important in helping to develop your child’s understanding of breath and its connection to the body and mind. As young children might find it difficult to communicate their understanding, it is helpful if you share your personal perspective with them. Talk about how your breath makes you feel big and strong or calm and relaxed.  Tell your child how your breath keeps you healthy as it moves all around your body. 

Overall, remember to have fun. As your child grows older, they can do more formalised breathing practice (pranayama), which will be a much easier transition for a little one who has already developed some awareness.

xx Tracey xx