What to do when you're "Bombaloo"!

In last week's SEL classes, we addressed some of the emotions that make us at times feel scared or out of control, as well as some of the ways we can manage them. Our younger students were read various stories designed to acknowledge feelings of anger, and what to do with these feelings. One of our favorite books is "Sometimes I'm Bombaloo" by Rachael Vail and Yumi Heo, and I had the opportunity to read it aloud to the 2nd Graders. They were riveted by the story of Katie Honors, a self-described good kid who brushes her teeth and performs other chores with a positive attitude. In fact most of the time she feels pretty happy except when her little brother continually knocks down the castles she constructs with colorful blocks. Then she becomes "bombaloo", which is the name she gives this feeling of extreme anger which frightens her and causes her to use her feet and fists instead of her words. With a little help form her mother, and time by herself to think and take deep breaths, she eventually calms down and repairs her rift with her brother.
The 2nd Graders loved being able to relate some of the experiences which make them "bombaloo", as well as ways they can calm down. Speaking to trusted adults was mentioned many times, a tribute to the grown ups who love and nurture them.
We completed our lesson with ways to self-calm after removing oneself from an emotional situation. We modeled deep relaxing breaths, gently inhaling for 3 seconds, holding the breath for 3 seconds then slowly exhaling for 3 seconds. Each child was allowed to hold a colorful feather in order to gage the gentleness of their breath, and to our delight, they loved this exercise!
We talked about how relaxing breaths can make us feel calm even when we are not feeling an intense emotion.
And of course, Marilena's adaptation of this activity to a movement related exercise invited the children to sit and practice this breathing exercise after being tagged by a designated student!
We will continue to practice these types of relaxation exercises as the year moves along so that our students can learn to manage their emotions when faced with challenges. Hopefully they will use these strategies in other environments as well!

inhaling for 3 seconds, holding the breath for 3 seconds then slowly exhaling for 3 seconds