Objective: To introduce breath awareness through calming imagery, helping students recognize how gentle breathing can regulate emotions and support focus in moments of stress or nervousness.
Instructions:
1. Imagine you're holding a warm cup of hot chocolate. It smells delicious, but it's too hot to drink.
2. Hold your imaginary cup in both hands.
3. Slowly breathe in through your nose as if you're smelling the chocolate.
4. Gently breathe out through your mouth as if you're cooling it down—soft and slow, so you don’t spill it.
5. Repeat this breath cycle 5–6 times, staying focused on the feeling of breathing and the warmth of the cup.
6. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the breath and the image of the hot chocolate.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you feel now?
2. What did you like the most?
3. What did you notice about your breath during the activity?
4. Did the image of the hot chocolate help you stay focused?
5. How did your body feel after a few breaths?
6. Was it easy or hard to return your attention when distracted?
7. Would you try this technique when feeling nervous or stressed?
Reference: Hawkins, K., (2021). The mindful teacher’s toolkit: Awareness-based wellbeing in schools: Activities for 4-18 year olds. Corwin. p. 74