Breathing is an important coping strategy for kids to learn and yet it can be so difficult to get them to want to practice. Firstly, the tough thing about breathing for young children is that if they cannot see it and feel it, so it’s hard for them to believe it. Therefore, the more tangible and visible for our little visual learners, the greater the fun! Secondly, all coping strategies are even better when we do them together! Kids regulate best with co-regulation, so if they refuse to try breathing activities, start doing them yourself and we bet they’ll join in.
Blowing bubbles is one way that we can help kids practice their breathing. First have them blow the bubbles out really fast (panicked/angry breath). Then have them take a big breath and breathe out slowly to get the giant bubbles that are full of calm air.
Konstantin Lukin, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Lukin Center for Psychotherapy in Ridgewood, Hoboken, Montclair, Jersey City and Englewood. He has extensive clinical and research experience spanning individuals of all ages, in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He specializes in men’s issues, couple’s counseling, and relationship problems. His therapeutic approach focuses on providing support and practical feedback to help patients effectively address personal challenges. He integrates complementary modalities and techniques to offer a personalized approach tailored to each patient. He has been trained in cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavior, schema-focused, and emotionally focused therapy, and has also been involved with research projects throughout his career, including two National Institute of Mental Health-funded studies. He is a member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Jersey Psychological Association, Northeast Counties Association of Psychologists, New York State Psychological Association, The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, The New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy, the International OCD Foundation, the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACSB) and a regular contributor to Psychology Today.
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