Pinwheel
Another visual to use while practicing deep breathing is a pinwheel. Have your child take a deep breath and blow out slowly on the pinwheel. See how long your child can make the pinwheel move – the longer he or she exhales, the longer the pinwheel will spin! Make your own pinwheel using the instructions below.
Giving your child a visual will help make practicing deep breathing more enjoyable and easier for your child to follow. This can also provide a distraction during stressful doctor’s visits.
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Step 1: To get started making your own pinwheel, cut a 4-inch x 4-inch square out of a piece of paper. |
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Step 2. Draw diagonal lines across your square to join up the corners. Then, mark the center of the square with a dot and draw an additional dot at each of the corners. |
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Step 3. Use a pair of scissors to cut along the diagonal lines. Then, use a hole punch or punch a hole through each of the dots. |
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Step 4. Line the dots on the outer edge of your pinwheel up with the dot in the center. Push a tack through the dots to hold everything together. Then, push the pin into the side of a pencil eraser or straw. Your pinwheel is now ready to use! |
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