Shape Your Breath

It’s hard to function when feeling overwhelmed. An effective self-regulation strategy can make all the difference. Through this strategy, students will explore different shapes to create their own tool for self-regulation.

Here’s how it works:

Objective: Students will understand the connection between mindfulness and art, utilizing shape-based breathing techniques to foster self-regulation and creative expression.

1. Demonstrate shape breathing by drawing out a few large shapes on the board (i.e., circle, square, rectangle).

2. Practice shape breathing together. Students can draw the shape in the air using their finger, trace a print out of the shape, or draw the shape on a blank piece of paper at their desk to follow along with.

3. Show examples of breathing with more complex shapes (i.e., lightning bolt, star, heart).

4. Direct students to draw their own image or shape, assigning where to start and when to inhale, exhale, or hold.

Variations:

Level Down

• Reduce the number of breaths required
• Use movement for students who have difficulty staying still or focusing for long periods
• If a student has difficulty with hand-eye coordination or fine motor skills, tracing can lead to frustration. Partner these students with an adult who can provide deep pressure (ex. squeezing hand) with each inhale and release during the exhale
• Provide a choice board or pre-cut shapes a student can use to organize into their own, new shape or image

Level Up

• Trace shape with arm, head, eyes, hips
• Play calming music or nature sounds
• Use a sensory station so students can physically see the shape take form (ex. shaving cream, sand box, finger paint on baking sheets). Add a support by placing laminated cards with the shape outlines underneath the sand so students can trace along
• Discuss how to create mood with color and texture. Students further design their unique shape by adding textures or color to their visual art piece.