Hi, I’m Ade and today we are going to recharge using some special breathing techniques to help us feel calm and to quieten our minds.
Make sure you are sitting somewhere nice and comfortable and I want you to think about someone that is really special to you.
It could be a special grown-up, a best friend, or maybe even your pet.
Now, take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Sometimes we can feel angry or upset.
When we feel like this, being able to slow down our breathing can really help, and can help us feel calm again and in control.
Now we’re going to throw a party for our special person to say thank you for everything they do.
My special person is my best friend.
I’m going to be thinking about her.
Who are you thinking about?
Let’s start by blowing up the balloons for the party.
Take a deep breath in through your nose, then use one long out breath through your mouth to blow up a balloon each and make it as big as you can!
Are you ready?
And breathe.
Well done!
Great balloon blowing.
When we pay attention to our breathing like this, it can help us to stay calm and focused.
Now how about we give our special person a beautiful flower?
Let’s smell the flower together…
That was lovely.
Can you feel the air as it passes the tip of your nose?
Really try and focus on this as as we breathe. Here we go again.
No party is complete without a cake and we’ve even got a candle on top!
Let’s help blow out the candle with one long, steady out breath. Ready?
Well done!
Finally, choose one of our three special breaths to use and think about your special person one more time.
I'm going to go for the balloon.
Wow!
You guys look great.
So calm, well done everyone.
I feel really proud of us for taking time to recharge today!
I feel calmer and really thankful to have my best friend in my life.
We used our breath to help us slow down and took some time to think about who and what we feel grateful for.
Say with me, “I am thankful”.
Are you ready?
“I am thankful”.
See you again.
Bye bye.
TV presenter and Paralympian Ade Adepitan introduces techniques to teach pupils how to control their breathing, helping them to regulate their feelings and emotions.
This is a short gratitude exercise that encourages children to mindfully focus on who or what is important to them. It can be used to encourage them to slow down, zoom out and think about the bigger picture.
This video can be used by teachers to re-focus students and mentally prepare them for the rest of the school day.
Rest is the break our bodies and minds need to grow strong and flourish.
Teacher Notes
Phase and setting most suitable for: KS1 and KS2. Whole class mindfulness.
When to use: Before or after breaktimes to regulate/End of day.See our Moodboosters School Timetable for more ideas.
Curriculum/topic/SEMH links: Gratitude Harvest, Christmas, Earth Day, people who help us.
Teachers can use this activity to encourage pupils to make and strengthen connections with others to provide greater stability and safety in their lives. This can help them to deal with change when it occurs and recognise when it is necessary, temporary or more permanent.
Visit the Teacher Guide for more information and support.
Enrichment activities
- Breathing with gratitude
Guide children to sit comfortably and say: "Let's take a big breath in… and out."
Prompt: “Now think of someone really special a person or a pet who makes you feel happy.”
As they breathe, invite them to whisper: "Thank you, [special person's name]."
- Thankful Thought Jar
On small slips of paper, children write or draw something they’re thankful for (e.g., "My dog," "Kind teacher," "Sunny days").
Collect in a "Gratitude Jar" to revisit when they need a boost.
- Create a Gratitude Card
Children design a thank-you card for their special person.
Inside , they can write: "Thank you for making me feel happy and safe. I thought of you during my calm breaths today."
More from Recharge:
Self-Belief Warriors. video
Dr Ranj Singh leads pupils through a series of strong and empowering poses, helping to create positive mindsets and develop feelings of self-worth.
A Moment in Nature. video
TV Presenter Rhys Stephenson encourages primary school pupils to employ all of their senses to enable them to deal with the day ahead.
Jungle Stretch. video
CBeebies presenter Evie Pickerill uses slow, still and dynamic movements to encourage flexibility and mindfulness in children.
Breathe and Be. video
TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing champion Oti Mabuse inspires pupils to explore breathwork and movement in this classroom activity.
Take It Slow. video
Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden mimics a sloth and combines imagination and yoga-inspired poses to help children relax.
Power Off. video
Dr Ranj Singh slows things down and gets pupils to be present and recognise when they're tense to help them feel calmer and more focused.
LOL Time. video
CBBC presenters Rhys Stephenson and Joe Tasker lead this fun activity that encourages children to work in pairs and make their partner laugh.
Balance and Be. video
Olympian Bethany Shriever guides children using visualisation techniques to experiment how changing thoughts can affect our balance, mentally and physically.
Pirouette to Peace. video
Evie Pickerill and Oti Mabuse teach some basic ballet moves that encourage primary school children to slow down, pause and take a break.
More from Moodboosters:
Boost. collection
Energetic, movement-based activities promoting self-confidence in children by encouraging them to use movement and positive thinking to build self-esteem.
Connect. collection
Fun, movement-based activities for children centring on relationships and how to recognise emotions in others through empathy.
Imagine. collection
Learning activities to promote creativity and optimism in children whilst encouraging them to use their imagination to envision their goals and aspirations.
Teacher's guide
Curriculum-linked ideas and tips about how you can use Moodboosters with your class during the school day.
Watch again - our live launch. video
Watch highlights as children from around the nations join together for a big mood-boosting moment.
About Moodboosters
Everything you need to know about our initiative to get KS1 / KS2 pupils moving for mental health and wellbeing.
