Bubbles are a great tool for helping a child regulate their bodies. Sometimes it is hard for kids to regulate their emotions when they are upset or have high arousal. Provide them with this simple strategy help learn the importance of deep breathing as a calming mechanism. Breathing is a part of our autonomic nervous system and is something that we do not have to think about to do. Bringing attention to the breath provides a calming affect secondary to the repetitive nature of breathing out and in. Make sure your child is going at a nice slow pace to gain full benefits of deep breathing. If a child has a quick pace and bubbles are providing too much excitement try some of the below ideas to facilitate slow breathing:
- Have the child lay on their back and balance a light book on their stomachs to watch it go up and down.
- The book will also provide some deep pressure input which is another calming strategy.
- Provide slow counting for breaths to see who can inhale and exhale the longest
- Use a straw to blow a cotton ball or tissue
- Make sure to pace your child by taking turns.
- Cognitive strategy: “Smell the flowers, and blow out the birthday candles”
- sometimes I will have a child make a bookmark with a picture of a flower on one end and candle on the other end to practice this skill with a visual cue.
- Hold up 10 fingers and have the child blow out the candles one by one.
- If a child is acting too silly while blowing I will usually hold a finger up until they complete it appropriately.