Your Tummy and Mine Breathe Together

The child lies on their back with a stuffed animal on their tummy, and their grown-up, sitting beside them, breathes along so the toy rises and falls slowly; then they switch, and the child places a hand on the grown-up's tummy. Kids learn to breathe calmly and to feel someone else breathing.

How to play

1. Each child lies on their back on a mat with a stuffed animal on their tummy; their grown-up sits beside them (1 min).
2. The grown-up rests a hand next to the toy and they breathe together: breathe in and the toy goes up, breathe out and it goes down (1 min).
3. Count softly: "One, two, up… one, two, down," slower and slower (1 min).
4. Switch: the grown-up lies down with the toy on their tummy and the child puts a hand on it and counts (1 min).
5. Both lie side by side in silence, one hand on their own tummy and one on the other's (1 min).

Rules

• The stuffed animal rides up and down slowly, like on a calm boat.
• Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
• Talk in whisper voices.
• Stay lying down until the teacher says so.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: do it sitting or reclining on a wedge pillow with the toy on their lap.
• Autism: let them choose the toy and avoid touching them if they'd rather not; they can place their hand on their grown-up's tummy instead.
• Hearing impairment: the grown-up shows the rhythm by raising and lowering a hand in front of the child's eyes.

Learning goals

• Breathe slowly and mindfully.
• Feel the body calming down.
• Share a quiet moment with their family.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Mats: 12
• Small stuffed animals: 25

Teacher tip

Stuffed animals help kids actually see their breathing; if you don't have enough, a small fabric bag or rolled-up sock works. Tell grown-ups not to exaggerate: if they breathe too loudly, kids start giggling and the calm is gone.

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