Crocodile Breathing Exercise
From Sanford fit
2 minPre-KK1st2nd3rd4th5thSocial-Emotional Learning
Summary
Sanford fit's crocodile breathing has children rest a hand (or lie) low and feel the breath move their belly up and down, slow and low like a crocodile floating in the water. Belly breathing is one of the calmest, most grounding ways to settle a racing heart.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Try crocodile breathing together, then talk it over.
- Where did you feel your breath moving -- your chest or your belly?
- How is slow belly breathing different from quick, shallow breaths?
- How did your heartbeat or body feel after a few crocodile breaths?
- When could floating-calm breathing help you at school?
Quick work-a-long
Words to know: crocodile, belly, breath, slow, grounded
Try it: Put one hand on your belly and take four slow breaths, feeling it rise and fall. Draw an arrow showing which way your belly moves when you breathe in.