Activity

Part A: Introduction

Step 1.

Tell your kid/s that they are going to do an activity about the wind. If you have a little activity or action that you use with your kid/s to focus their attention (such as three claps, three big breaths, or a mantra/statement), you could do this now.

Take your kid/s outside or to a window, and take a moment to observe. Begin by posing the following I wonder statement:

I wonder what we can see.

Have a discussion about the wind with your kid/s, in terms of their senses. For example:

I wonder what the wind is.
I wonder if we can hear the wind.
I wonder if we can feel the wind.
I wonder if we can see the wind.
I wonder if we can smell or taste the wind.
.

‘I wonder' statements - using statements that begin with 'I wonder … ' is a great way to get children to share their ideas. 'I wonder' statements don’t necessarily have a correct response, so they leave children open to explore and share their ideas without fear of being wrong. Find out more open-ended questioning tips here.

Step 2.

Explain to your kid/s that different types of weather can affect how we feel. For some of us, a really windy day can make us feel anxious, unsettled, or excited. On the other hand, a gentle breeze can make us feel calm and relaxed.

Invite your kid/s to reflect on their own experiences of the wind, including what the wind is doing in your location. You could use the following I wonder statements to guide you:

I wonder how being in the wind makes you feel. Does it make you feel calm or excited?
I wonder how you feel when you watch the wind in the trees, or moving across the grass. Do you feel calm or excited?
I wonder how you feel when you watch clouds being blown across the sky.

The aim here is to connect your kid's experiences of wind to their bodies and their emotions. This can help kids recognise and communicate their feelings and emotions, and support them in working towards social and emotional regulation.

Part B: Breathing activity

Step 1.

Explain to your kid/s that they will watch a clip to help them connect to the wind and give them energy. Throughout this clip, children will be asked to move their bodies gently, focus on their breath, and listen to the instructions.

Share the following clip with your children:

Breath Circle - Wind (with captions) (https://vimeo.com/677553598)

Step 2.

Once you have watched the clip, spend some time talking with your kid/s about their experience of the breathing activity:

I wonder what you liked about this activity.
I wonder if you feel different in your body now.
I wonder if you feel different in your mind.
I wonder if you would like to do this again.

Part C: Take it further

Your kid/s may have developed their own ideas about how to extend upon the themes presented in this activity. If not, choose one of the following ideas to explore with them:

Can you make wind? Invite your kid/s to play with cardboard and fabric to see if they can make wind.
Use your breath as the wind. Set up a scene with toy animals and/or people, and invite your kid/s to be in charge of the weather. They can use their breath to create a gentle breeze or a howling gale.
Which way does the wind blow? Head outside with a range of items that respond to wind, such as soft fabric, feathers, windmills, or bubbles.
Watch the clouds. Lie down outside and watch the clouds being blown across the sky. What do you notice about them? What do you notice about how they move?
Spend some time exploring the Zones of Emotional Regulation Chart with children. Social and emotional learning strategies seek to equip children with knowledge and skills that positively impact their ability to manage emotions and behaviours, as well as improve their interactions with peers, parents, or other adults. The chart can help children visualise their feelings and build their emotional vocabulary, shifting them away from rote responses like 'good', to more nuanced responses like 'curious', 'excited', or 'worried'. Find out more here.

Want more breathing activities? You can find some more here, or register to see if Beata can visit your childcare, kindy, or school in person.

Something for parents and carers!

You could use the breathing exercise from this activity throughout the day to lift the mood. This activity could be helpful in transition moments at home, such as before and after meal times, or after nap time. And if you’re still having a daily ‘witching hour’, this activity could help both you and your kid/s get through it. If you need a shorter exercise, try taking just three or five breaths, keeping one hand on your heart and the other on your belly.

This clip has some great suggestions to help you—as a parent or carer—to lift your mood if you're feeling weary, overwhelmed, worn out, or just a little bit defeated by your day:

Breath Circle - Energize (with captions) (https://vimeo.com/677929522)

Breath Circle - Wind (home learning)

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