Deep Breathing

Summary

A teacher helps children resolve a conflict after toys bump and one child’s hand is hurt. She reminds them to use gentle hands to stay safe and encourages them to find safer ways to play, such as building or driving toys together.

The teacher also helps the children address the hurt and their feelings. She asks how the injured child feels and prompts the other child to apologize. After acknowledging the apology, she guides the children through calming strategies: taking a deep breath and blowing it out as if breathing on a flower, and using a “butterfly” strategy to feel better.

She checks whether the child feels better and praises the children for solving the problem and using their voices to communicate.

Speakers or Sources

• Teacher/adult: Guides the children through safety, apology, and calming strategies.
• Children: Participate in the discussion, apologize, and practice deep breathing. One child is addressed as Nova.