Breathing Made Fun: Helping Kids Relax, Focus, and Feel Calm by Maram Barakat, M.A.

Bergen County Moms
May 15
2 min read

Updated: May 16

Child blowing on a dandelion, seeds floating in the air. Sunlit background with warm hues, creating a serene and playful mood.

In today's fast-paced world, children often experience stress and anxiety just like adults. Teaching them simple, engaging breathing exercises can be a powerful tool to help them manage their emotions and find calmness.

Here are three playful and powerful breathing techniques that help kids relax while having fun.

🌸 Smelling Flowers Breath

Have your child close their eyes and imagine holding a flower. As they breathe in through their nose, invite them to “smell the flower.” Then, exhale gently as if they’re blowing the petals. Repeat this a few times for a soothing, sensory reset.

🐟 Fish Breathing

Ask your child to take a breath in through the nose and puff their cheeks out like a fish. Then, blow the air out through the mouth. This fun visualization helps release tension and adds a splash of humor to their routine.

🐍 Snake Breath

Encourage them to shape their lips into a small “o,” take a deep breath through the mouth, and exhale slowly with a long, hissing “Sssss.” This exercise lengthens the exhale, calming the nervous system.

These exercises are not only effective in helping children manage stress but also foster a sense of fun and creativity. Incorporating these techniques into daily routines can empower kids to handle their emotions better and build resilience.

For more insights and tips on supporting your child's emotional well-being, visit the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy.

Maram Barakat, M.A., is pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a special focus on global mental health and research methods. She is primarily interested in providing access to quality mental health services in low-to-middle income countries and vulnerable populations. She is especially passionate about working with survivors of abuse and violence. In fact, she has integrated her passion with her academic interests by focusing her master's thesis on culturally adapting and implementing cognitive processing therapy to Syrian refugee women who have experienced sexual violence during and post-displacement. Maram has worked as a mental health professional and advocate in Lebanon, Uganda, and New York for the past six years. At the Lukin Center, Maram will be taking on the role of social media manager. Her main responsibilities entail managing and monitoring the center's social media platforms, creating content, increasing engagement, and more. Apart from her professional interests, she enjoys acting, karaoke, and extreme sports.