Instructions

Pretend you are making a birthday cake, using play dough or putty. Add in a birthday candle and ask your little one to take a deep breath in and then blow it out. The fun you are creating almost masks all hard work your little one is doing!

The Science

This activity is centered around imaginative play, which shapes a child's understanding of social constructs. Over time, imaginative play has been shown to help optimize numerous cognitive and self-regulatory skills. In addition, as your child takes a deep breath in and out, they are strengthening the motor skills that underlie diaphragmatic breathing -- a technique used to promote calm in the face of stress.