Balloon Breathing Plan Balloon Breathing Plan
Social-Emotional Learning • Kindergarten
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will learn and practice balloon belly breathing to calm themselves when upset by using plush buddies and creating a take-home reminder.
The "Why"
Empowers students to recognize and regulate strong emotions, reducing stress and promoting a calm classroom environment.
Teacher Prep
• Review the Teacher Script and Breathing Buddy Guide .
• Prepare the Calm-Down Visuals slide deck.
• Print the Stress Thermometer and Reminder Cards .
• Gather one Breathing Buddy Plush per student.
• Set out crayons or markers for the craft.
Materials List
Calm-Down Visuals (Slides)
Breathing Buddy Plushes
Stress Thermometer
Balloon Breathing Script
Reminder Card Templates
Crayons or Markers
Lesson Procedure
05
Warm-Up Stress Check
Gather students in a circle on the carpet. Display the Stress Thermometer . Invite each child to point to how they feel (calm, worried, upset). Explain that today we'll learn a fun way to feel calm when big emotions hit.
07
Teach Balloon Breathing
Show the balloon image from the slides. Model placing one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Following the Script , demonstrate inhaling (belly rises like a balloon) and exhaling (air leaves balloon). Repeat 3 times.
08
Guided Practice with Buddy
Distribute Breathing Buddies . Have students place them on their bellies. Lead 3 breaths: inhale (buddy rises), exhale (buddy lowers). Focus on slow, steady movement.
05
Reflect Feelings Pre/Post
Ask how they felt before vs. now. Show the Stress Thermometer again. Highlight the change in their body sensations and emotions after breathing.
05
Create Take-Home Reminder
Distribute Reminder Cards . Have students decorate with "calm colors." Help them write or draw one step. Attach a string for their backpacks to use at home.
Calm Down Visuals Slides Breathe Like a Balloon
A fun way to calm our bodies with balloon belly breathing.
How do you feel?
😊
Calm
😟
Worried
😡
Upset
Point to the feeling that matches you right now!
1
Step 1: Inhale
Breathe in slowly through your nose.
Fill your belly like a balloon.
2
Step 2: Exhale
Blow out gently through your mouth.
Let the air out of your balloon.
Let's Practice!
✓ Place your Breathing Buddy on your belly.
✓ Inhale... feel your buddy rise.
✓ Exhale... watch your buddy lower.
How Do You Feel Now?
Use your thermometer to show if you feel calmer.
😟 😊
Breathing Buddy Guide Breathing Buddy Activity
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Purpose
Supports children in feeling their breath and connecting with a playful prop to reinforce balloon belly breathing.
Time & Materials
• 8 Minutes
• One plush toy per student
• Soft mat or carpeted area
Steps to Follow
1
Distribute Buddies (1 Min)
Give each child a plush "Breathing Buddy." Have students sit up tall or lie on their backs in a comfortable circle, placing the buddy right on their bellies.
2
Model the Breath (2 Mins)
Place a buddy on your own belly and demonstrate:
Inhale slowly — watch the buddy rise like a balloon filling.
Exhale gently — watch the buddy lower as air releases.
3
Group Practice (4 Mins)
Guide the children through three rounds of breathing. Count quietly: "Breathe in... 1, 2, 3" and "Breathe out... 1, 2, 3." Offer quiet praise: "Great job watching your buddy float!"
4
Reflection (1 Min)
Invite students to briefly share how it felt when their buddy moved. Did it feel calm? Did it feel silly?
Teacher Tips
Pacing: Maintain a calm, slow pace and a soft, rhythmic voice to help set the mood.
Refocus: If a buddy slips off, gently prompt the child to place it back without interrupting the flow.
Positivity: Celebrate each child's attention. Even small efforts to stay still are big wins for Kindergarteners!
Safety: Ensure enough space between students so they don't bump their buddies.
Stress Thermometer Poster How Do I Feel?
The Stress Thermometer
😡
Upset
I am very angry or sad.
😟
Worried
I feel a little nervous.
😊
Calm
I feel peaceful and happy.
Point to how your body feels right now!
Balloon Breathing Teacher Script Teacher Script
Breathe Like a Balloon
Kindergarten SEL
Teacher Spoken Text
Teacher Actions / Directions
1
Warm-Up: Stress Check (5 Mins)
Sit in a circle with students. Display the Stress Thermometer Poster where everyone can see it clearly.
“Good morning, friends! Let’s come sit in our circle on the carpet so we can see our special thermometer. Today we’re going to learn a fun way to help our bodies feel calm when we get upset or worried.”
“I want you to point to how you feel right now. If you feel calm, point to the bottom. If you feel a little worried, point to the middle. If you feel upset, point to the top.”
Allow each child to point. Acknowledge briefly (e.g., “Thank you for sharing, Mia—I see you feel a little worried. Thank you, Aiden—I see you feel calm.”).
“Great job sharing! Today we’ll learn balloon belly breathing. This helps our bodies feel calm like a soft, floating balloon.”
2
Teach: Balloon Breathing (7 Mins)
Display Slide 3 (Inhale).
“Friends, look at this balloon. When we breathe in, we’re going to fill our bellies with air like this balloon fills up. Watch me!”
Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Model slowly: “Breathe in through your nose... 1... 2... 3...” (Belly rises).
Display Slide 4 (Exhale).
“Now breathe out through your mouth... 1... 2... 3... like the air leaving our balloon.” (Belly goes down).
“Let’s try two more balloon breaths together. Ready? Breathe in... 1, 2, 3... Breathe out... 1, 2, 3. Great!”
3
Guided Practice (8 Mins)
Hand out one Breathing Buddy to each child.
“Here’s your very own Breathing Buddy. Place your buddy on your belly and lie down or sit up tall.”
“Okay—balloon breath time! Breathe in through your nose... feel your buddy rise... 1, 2, 3. Breathe out through your mouth... watch your buddy lower... 1, 2, 3. Pause.”
Repeat two more times in a calm, slow voice.
“That was amazing balloon breathing—I saw everyone’s buddy floating perfectly!”
4
Reflect: Before & After (5 Mins)
Display the Stress Thermometer again.
“Remember how we felt before we breathed like balloons? Who can share how their body felt?” (Listen for: fast heart, tummy aches, tight hands).
“Now point to how you feel after our balloon breathing.”
“See how our breathing can help us feel calmer inside? When we take slow balloon breaths, our bodies feel peaceful.”
Reminder Card Templates Printable Balloon Breathing Reminders
Color, cut, and keep on your backpack!
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
1
Decorate Your Calm Balloon
Use colors that make you feel peaceful and quiet.
2
My Breathing Step
Write or draw one step (like "Breathe In").
Breathe Like a Balloon
1
Decorate Your Calm Balloon
Use colors that make you feel peaceful and quiet.
2
My Breathing Step
Write or draw one step (like "Breathe In").
Breathe Like a Balloon
