First, help students identify how they feel and ask them to decide whether that emotion is helping or hurting them. Use Breathing Bubbles in a one-on-one situation when a specific student needs a moment to express their worry or joy in order to refocus their attention on learning. Teachers might also use Breathing Bubbles in conjunction with a more traditional mindfulness practice: Have each student type a joy or worry and, as students are breathing with the app and watching the bubble, speak positive narratives and self-talk.
Continue readingWhen opening Breathing Bubbles, kids are prompted to select an emotion (mad, silly, sad, or worried) and then choose how strongly they're experiencing that emotion. On the next screen, kids decide whether to release a worry or receive a joy. In either instance, the white manatee at the bottom of the screen prompts kids to write a worry or joy. When releasing a worry, the bubble floats further away as Manny helps kids practice deep, slow breathing. When receiving a joy, the bubble comes closer with the same deep-breathing prompts.
Breathing Bubbles is a simple, effective tool that will empower kids who usually feel out of control by offering them a concrete way to cope with strong emotions. They will also practice deep breathing, which could be a calming practice they can internalize and use away from the app. Because it's simple and approachable, most students will find it easy to use; however, kids who have trouble writing or typing will need guidance to use speech-to-text if they're not familiar with how it works.
Paired with teacher communication and conversation, this tool may be especially beneficial for students who come to school with worries or stressors that hinder their learning.
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Games for Building Decision-Making Skills
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