Sniff the Flower, Blow the Candle

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Nothing to gather! Find a cozy spot to sit together, facing each other if you can. Use it at bedtime or after a meltdown, once the storm has passed a little. Breathe slowly yourself, because kids copy your pace more than your words.

1. Shake out your paws and wiggles, then sit down together.
2. Hold up one hand as a flower and the other as a candle.
3. Bring the flower close and breathe in slowly through your nose.
   Ask: What does your flower smell like?
4. Now blow out slowly through your mouth at the candle, long and gentle.
5. Do five flower-and-candle breaths together. Count them on your fingers.
   Ask: How does your body feel now compared to when we started?
6. Be the leader! Call out sniff and blow while everyone follows.
7. Finish with a quiet moment and notice how calm feels.
8. Now teach someone else, or try it again! What flower will you smell next time?
   Ask: Who in your family could use Ollie's trick today?

Play it again

• Count it: sniff the flower for 4, blow the candle for 6.
• New pairs: smell hot cocoa, then blow to cool it down.
• Teach a friend: show someone new the trick and lead their breaths.