(Dragon Breathing) How to Manage Fear and Emotions in Children.

Dragon Breath is one of the most effective mindfulness techniques for children because it allows them to physically release the emotions of fear and frustration, helping to eliminate excess cortisol and adrenaline. It's ideal because it transforms a biological regulation exercise into symbolic play.

How it works:

1. Tell the child to sit or stand up straight and proud like a dragon.

2. Tell them to inhale deeply through their nose, imagining they are drawing in magic fire.

3. Tell them to exhale all the fire with a "HAAAA" sound to release their anger.

4. Repeat 3 to 4 times.

5. Then ask them what color their fire was. Did they feel the fire took away their anger, frustration, or fear?

Did you know that an emotion only lasts 90 seconds in the body? Once an emotion is triggered (like fear, frustration, or sadness), the brain undergoes a chemical process. To prevent this biological process from extending and reactivating, try empathetic silence, give them a hug, and be there for them without judging their emotion. Use the Dragon Breathing technique; it's scientifically proven that breathing exercises calm and help regulate emotions in children.

Why it works:

This fun practice promotes emotional regulation.

It helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system. It helps release negative thoughts and energies.

Emotions are let go, not bottled up.

It helps you recognize why our emotions are important, such as

fear: it keeps you alert and tells you to be prudent.

Frustration: it helps you find solutions, since frustration tells you there's an obstacle between you and what you want.

1. cardboard tube or thin cardboard
2. red glitter foam
3. plain white foam
4. 2 googly eyes
5. 2 red pom-poms
6. 1 pipe cleaner
7. cold silicone
8. red and orange tissue paper
9. pencil
10. paper

1. Take the measurement of the cardboard roll, in this case the measurement was 18 cm x 9 cm.

2. Take the cold silicone and apply a line to one end of the red glitter foam.

3. Glue the foam to the cardboard tube, covering it all the way around.

4. Take the red and orange crepe paper and make strips to simulate the dragons' fire,

5. Take a sheet of paper and draw a heart shape, as shown in the image.

6. Then, at the bottom, cut the heart in half and finish with a bow.

7. Make small tabs so you can attach it to the cardboard tube.

8. After cutting out the tabs, glue them with cold silicone around the cardboard tube, as seen in the image.

10. Glue the googly eyes onto the white part made of white foam using cold silicone.

11. Now, with the red pipe cleaner, cut it in half.

12. Then, using a pencil or your fingers, roll it up.

13. Stretch it out a little and glue it around the nostrils of our dragon friend.

14. Draw the dragon's fins or wings and trace them onto glittery red foam.

15. Glue them on with a dab of hot glue, behind the eyes, as shown in the image.

Here you will have your dragon friend who accompanies you, helps you regulate your emotions, and gives you calm.

This dragon friend will help you in everyday situations, such as: before a school presentation, a doctor's appointment, or if you're afraid of the dark, in crowded places, when you're frustrated by not being able to do certain things, or when you feel fear or phobias, among other things. Tip: Try using this tool with him when he's happy or calm. If you only use it when he's anxious, frustrated, scared, or angry, he'll associate it with something negative. If it's a daily game, he'll use it instinctively when he needs it.