Self-Regulation helps build our character as people. This month our students learned they can regulate their big emotions. We do this by using the Steps of Calming Down, including the Belly Breathing technique. Regulating our emotions will not get rid of our emotions. It does allows us to take a big emotion and resize it into an emotion we can work with.
Belly Breathing was the focus of our Kinder and First Grade lessons. To Belly Breath, you take a deep breath in through your nose all the way down to your belly (this will push your belly out), hold it in your belly, then breath the air out of your mouth. Repeat at least three times. We use Belly Breathing as part of our Calming Down steps or as a stand alone technique for our younger grades.
Calming down is more than just relaxing. Calming down allows our brain to function as normal. The steps of calming down are:
1. Use a Stop Signal (Whoa LP!)
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2. Name your feeling or feelings (I am feeling mad)
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3. Take at least three Centered Breaths or Belly Breaths
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4. Use some positive self-talk
