Diwali Deep Breathing for Kids

Diwali is my most favorite time of year, but it’s also a busy one. Here is a great way to incorporate deep breathing for your kids into your Diwali festivities.

Diwali is the festival of lights, and it it celebrated by many South Asian countries. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness or the victory of good over evil. We light clay lamps called Diyas and it a very joyous time. There are gatherings every weekend, poojas at temples, parties and lots of things happening with friends.

In addition, while living outside of India, we still have Halloween, parent teacher meetings, Thanksgiving, fall and winter kids sports, and everything else in between. It can be a really busy and challenging time of year for both parents as well as students.

I have a fun mindfulness activity for kids during the Diwali season to help manage their sensory overload and perhaps even anxiety as well as spread the message of Diwali for those around us not celebrating.

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing exercises are designed to support self-regulation, mindfulness and brain break needs.

Children who practice mindfulness will find it much easier to focus and actively engage in the classroom. Practicing mindfulness and breathing exercises can be very powerful for kids as they grow and navigate the world we live in. Students in the classroom who use mindfulness will bring a sense of collective calm to the space as well making the learning environment more favorable for everyone. Incorporating mindfulness can be fun !

Making deep breathing fun and combining it with the Diwali season can help kids practice their breath and use breathing as a way to cope or calm down.

That is where this Diwali Deep Breathing for Kids comes in.

Diya Breath

How to:

Imagine that you are holding a Diwali Diya in between both of your hands
Take a Deep Breath in, then slowly take a Deep Breath out and Imagine you’re blowing towards the flame.
You are meant to make the candle flame wiggle, but dont blow it out yet!
Deep Breath In ,Slow Breath out, making the flame wiggle.
After a few rounds, take Big Deep Breath in and NOW blow the flame out.

Ways to Use:

Use the Poster as a Printable and hang it in the classroom, therapy room or at home. This is a great way to share a different culture with your class or children.
Use the deep breathing exercises as a brain break during the Diwali Season or as Part of a Diwali Activity. Have the kids paint Clay Diya’s and then practice this breath.
Have an adult hold a real Diya to practice deep breathing in and out. Diya’s can get very hot, so only an adult should help with this. Diya’s can also be placed on a plate to practice breathing in and out.