Here is another intentional breathing strategy to help your child shut off the flight or fight response. It is called the Drain.
Hold both arms out in front of your body.Make your hands into fists. While taking a deep breath in, squeeze tight the muscles in your body. As you exhale, release all the tension in your muscles while making a ‘Ssshhh’ sound.
Materials: empty milk jug, cap removed, pieces of ribbon or strips of fabric, scissors. Help your child cut the bottom off an empty milk jug and poke some holes in the cut edge of the milk jug. have your child thread ribbon or fabric strips through the holes and tie in place. Your windsock is now ready to take outside and see how the wind is blowing.
Blow bubbles for your child to chase and pop. Call attention to how the bubbles float in the wind. Allow your child to blow bubbles, experimenting with changing his position to see how it changes the direction the bubbles blow.
Make a list with your child of the things that blow in the wind. Talk about the strength of wind from a breeze to a hurricane. Encourage your child to draw something from your list of things that blow in the wind. Write down what your child says about her picture with her permission.
Materials: Paper, thinned tempera paint, drinking straw. Place a small amount of thinned tempera paint on the paper and have your child blow through the straw to move the paint around the paper. Add more paint as needed.
TumbleBook Library has a large selection of books, both fiction and non-fiction, that are read aloud. There are also some French and Spanish titles available. You will find some National Geographic videos and games on this site, too. You do not need a library membership to access.
https://calgarylibrary.ca/read-learn-and-explore/digital-library/tumblebook-library/
https://handsonaswegrow.com/activities/preschool-activities/ Find a variety of activities to try with your 3-5-year-old on this website. The activity categories include learning, creativity, gross motor, and fine motor.