Star breathing is a simple breathing technique that can support children to slow and regulate their breathing. This can support your child in their regulation before rest or after a big or uncomfortable feeling. To complete this activity you will need a piece of paper with a star, optionally, you can choose to have your child decorate their star. For younger children especially, it can be helpful to do star breathing with an adult or partner to model deep, slow breathing and co-regulate any big feelings that may arise.
Further information for parents: Often when we are feeling dysregulated, we do not take breaths using our full chest- we take shallow and fast breaths, which can cause us to feel even more dysregulated. Sitting upright with a stable posture better allows us to use our diaphragm to fill our chest to take slow, even breaths. Remind your child to sit upright when practicing breathing exercises so that they can use their full chest.
Extensions: Keep your child’s star in a place they need support to feel regulated, for example, hang the picture on the wall above where they do homework, this can help remind them to take some deep breaths when having big feelings during homework or other tasks they may find dysregulating or unpleasant.