2. Introduction
Ask the children to describe what they think stress is in their
own words. Explain to them that stress is our body reacting to
something that disrupts our mental, emotional, or physical balance.
Then ask the children to describe what they think anxiety is in their
own words. Explain to them that anxiety is any kind of feeling that
causes uneasiness, worry, or nervousness. Focus on the fact that
everyone, including yourself, go through stress and anxiety. It is our
choice to handle stress with anxiety or not. Encourage them that
stress is manageable with yoga, breathing, and creative activities.
5. *Change phrases for personal stress relief. Examples include:
I will be okay.
I will survive.
I will strive.
I am a warrior.
I am capable.
http://childhood101.com/2015/04/yoga-for-kids/
6. 1. Stand up straight, with your arms extended above your head.
2. Exhale, bend your body forward and allow your arms to fall
toward the floor.
3. Let your knees bend slightly and gently sway your head and arms
from side to side.
4. Take deep breaths, allowing your arms to sink closer to the floor.
5. After a few minutes, slowly roll back up to standing position.
http://www.top10homeremedies.com/news-facts/kid-friendly-yoga-
for-a-healthier-generation.html
8. Yoga Breathing Techniques
Hot Air Balloon
o Start by having the children hold out their hands as if their
hands are hot air balloons. As they inhale, have them
stretch out their hot air balloons and slowly let the hot air
balloon reach the sky. As they exhale, have them release
and look up to their hot air balloons. Encourage them to
think of positive thoughts for a calming effect.
Dragon Fire Breathing
o Start by having the children inhale as deeply as they can in
a few seconds. Let them exhale very forcefully, releasing all
the air that they have inside their lungs. As they exhale,
encourage them to act like a dragon breathing fire out so
that they can feel strong. Tell them that they are able to
overcome the stress like a dragon breathes out fire.
Tumble Dryer
o Start by having the children point one index finger at their
other index finger. Have them spin their pointer fingers as
they inhale air slowly. Tell them to go the opposite way as
they exhale slowly. Through all of this, have them focus on
taking their time breathing. This technique is for a soothing
effect. They can also twist their trunks of their bodies
9. while spinning their fingers for a more advanced, engaging
exercise.
Tongue-Straw
o Start by seeing if the children can curl up their tongues like
a straw. If they can, then proceed with this technique. Have
the children curl their tongues and use them as a straw to
breathe in and out. This should give a cooling effect on their
tongues, mouths, and throats and a loose feeling for
easiness.
Bumble Bee Breaths
o Start by having the children plug their ears with their
fingers. Inhale. During exhalation, have them hum. This odd
feeling will give a calming and soothing effect.
Bunny Breaths
o Start by having the children pretend to be like bunnies.
Have them inhale by taking 3 big sniffs like bunnies. If they
want, they can move their nose to act like bunnies. Then
exhale with one long breath.
Snake Breaths
o Start in either a seated position or cobra pose. Have the
children inhale and then exhale with hissing sounds like
snakes.
10. Belly Breathing
o Start by having the children lie on their backs. Make sure
each child has his or her favorite stuffed doll, animal,
figure, etc. Let them place this item on their bellies. Have
them inhale and exhale. Focus on slow, calming breathing to
make sure that the items do not fall. Encourage them to fill
up and empty their stomachs rather than their shoulders
for air support.
Nostril Breathing
o Start with regular inhaling. Then have the children close one
of their nostrils and exhale. Repeat by closing the opposite
nostril.
Mantra Breathing
o Start by thinking of a mantra to go along with the children’s
breathing. After saying each word, have the children either
inhale or exhale. An example is provided below:
I (inhale) can (exhale) strong
Power (inhale) in me (exhale)
Beauty (inhale) and truth (exhale)
I (inhale) am (exhale) me
12. Playdough Stress Ball
Materials: Play dough per child (different colors); different
essential oils
Goal: To have an outlet to relieve stress through natural
methods.
Directions: Have the children pick out play dough that they want
to use as a stress ball. Let them pick out the essential oils. They
can even mix the types. Add in a few drops in total and play with
the play dough to let the essential oil mix in well. Lavender may
be the best essential oil to use because of its calming effects.
13.
14. Worry Stones
Materials: Various colors of clay; oven for use
Goal: To reduce stress by letting children make their own worry
stones to rub their worries away.
Directions: Have the children take 2-3 pieces of different
colored clay. Have them roll them into a ball and make a “snake”
shape by rolling it. Have them squish it into another ball or coil
the snake. Let them smoosh their thumb into the ball or coiled
snake to make a worry stone. Bake the stones at 230 degrees for
30 minutes. Cool before giving them back.
15.
16. Blow Your Stress Away
Materials: Toilet paper roll (cardboard part); various pieces of
yarn, sequin, markers, decorative paper, decorating utensils; glue
Goal: To let the children see their breathing and encourage
blowing away their stress
Directions: Give each child a toilet paper tube. Let them decorate
their tubes however they would like. Examples include wrapping
the tube with decorative paper, attaching pieces of yarn at the
end of the tube to see the airflow, and drawing faces on the
tubes.
17.
18. Water Beads
Materials: water beads; water; bin
Goal: To use desensitization as therapy to cope with built up stress.
Directions: Put the water beads and water in a bin. If each children
wants their own, then separate them into multiple bins. If not, then put
them in one big bin. The amount of water required varies depending on
the amount of water beads used (read the package details). Most
water beads take a few hours to fill up. Let the children put their hand
and grab the water beads as they have a cooling sensation.
