Fear & Courage
Fill the sails
Calming the body through breathing
When children feel scared or anxious, their bodies react before they can think clearly. Slow, controlled breathing helps to calm the body because it directly impacts the nervous system.
Research supported by organisations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that simple breathing techniques can reduce stress and support emotional regulation in children.
‘Fill the sails’
Breathing activity
~
1. Take a slow breath in, counting to four
(this is the wind building up).
~
2. Blow the air out slowly, counting to six
(fill the sails!)
~
3. Repeat five times.
Building emotional skills over time
Practice breathing techniques together, often!
Research consistently shows that emotional regulation skills develop gradually through:
– Repetition,
– Modelling,
– Shared experiences with adults.
When you revisit the same ideas in different ways, children begin to:
– Recognise their feelings,
– Remember strategies that help,
– Feel more confident in managing their own emotions.
Links to the EYFS/KS1 curriculum
PSHE (KS1): H12 – Recognise what helps them to feel better
PSHE (KS1): H16 – Learn simple strategies to manage strong feelings
EYFS: Self-Regulation – Begin to regulate behaviour with support
More activities
The Storm Scale activity
Understanding big and small feelings
The Storm Scale helps children recognise that feelings can vary in intensity — from small worries to overwhelming fear.
Lighthouse Helpers activity
One of the most important emotional skills children can develop is recognising when they need support.
Expressions activity
Learning to recognise emotions on other people’s faces is an important part of how children develop empathy. In this activity, children discover what different emotions look like and try them out for themselves.
Colouring activities
Colouring helps children to slow down and be present in the moment. These colouring activities are designed to promote mindfulness while keeping little hands busy.
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