Whether I am teaching 2 year olds or 10 year olds, Belly Buddies is always a popular activity. This is a great way to get your child to relax and focus on their breath. Using the belly balloon breathing technique children enjoy moving their buddy using the power of their breath.
1. Choose a small soft toy, like a beanie for your belly buddy. Lye down on your back and relax. Place your buddy on your belly so it can comfortably go for a ride.
2. Watch your buddy rising and falling as you breathe normally.
3. Now fill up your belly balloon by slowly and deeply breathing in. Pause and image your buddy sitting on your big belly balloon. Now slowly let the air out of your belly balloon by slowly letting the air out through your mouth or if you can your nose. Make your belly balloon ride slow for your buddy, you don't want your belly buddy to feel sick!
Counting:
Try counting to 3 as you breathe in, pause, and then breathe out slowly as you count to 3 or even 5! For children aged 8+ try breathing in for 5 and out for 7 or try 7/11. Repeat 5 times to feel calm and relaxed.
Rest with Belly Buddies:
Practise this belly balloon breathing using your belly buddy whilst closing your eyes. Breathe in, fill you belly balloon all the way up and slowly breath out letting out all the stale air. Did you feel your buddy moving up and down? I wonder if you can do this for 1 or more minutes?