Calm

Box Breathing Square Tracing

Here's one to try together!

Draw a square, trace it slowly, and breathe your way to calm with Ollie the otter.

10 min2 min prepAges 8 and uplow mess

Reviewed by our team.

Safety first

breath holding may cause lightheadedness in some children, so keep holds short and stop if dizzy

What you need

Grown-up prep: Gather paper and a pencil or marker. Find a quiet, comfy spot where you can sit side by side.

Draw a big square on your paper.
Put one finger on the top left corner.
Slide along the top side and breathe in for four.
Slide down the right side and hold your breath for four.
Slide along the bottom and breathe out for four.
Slide up the left side and hold for four.
Go around the square four times in a row.
Now try it with no paper, drawing the square in the air.
Think of times your magic square could help, like before a test or at bedtime, then teach it to someone at home.

Bedtime square: trace the square in the air with the lights low before sleep.
Teach a friend: guide someone else around the square and count out loud for them.
Mini squares: draw tiny squares on sticky notes to put where you might need calm.

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