Teddy Tummy Breathing

What you need

• a small soft toy
• a blanket or rug to lie on

How to do it

1. Lie down on your backs side by side on a blanket.
2. Put a small soft toy on each of your tummies.
3. Breathe in slowly and watch the teddy go up. Breathe out and watch it go down.
4. Count three slow breaths together, then see if teddy can have a ride on five.

Why it matters

A teddy riding up and down on their tummy shows them their own breathing, and slow breaths settle a busy body.

What they're learning

Slow breathing

Watching the teddy rise and fall makes breathing something they can see.

Calming down

A few slow breaths together settle the whole body.

Counting

One breath, two breaths, three.

What to look for

Notice them breathing in more slowly to make the teddy go higher.

A tip

Keep it short. Three or four slow breaths is plenty.

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