Square breathing poster (free printable)
Four boxes in a loop with arrows between them: breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold, each to a count of four. Edit the counts or the words, print and post it by the calm corner.
To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.
About this sheet
Slow breathing is one of the simplest ways to help a child settle, and a poster that shows the pattern lets the child do it without an adult. Square breathing uses four equal parts, in, hold, out, hold, so the shape of the poster matches the shape of the breath. The four boxes sit in a loop with arrows, and the center holds a short phrase you can change. The counts in the boxes are editable: young children may do better with a count of three, and older students with five. It is a calming tool, not a medical one, so use it as a classroom routine and not as a treatment.
Grades: Pre-K to 8. Best in: August, September, January.
How to use it
- Edit the four boxes if you want a different count or different words. The center phrase is a separate box.
- Print and post it in the calm area and near the front of the room, and teach it together when the class is calm.
- Trace the square slowly with your finger as the class breathes, so the movement matches the count. Do three rounds.
Five ideas for class
- Practice it as a class after recess, before a test or after a loud transition, so students learn it as a routine and not a punishment.
- Trace the square on the poster with a finger or a pointer while students breathe, one side of the square for each count.
- Teach students to do it silently at their desks. A child who knows the pattern can use it without anyone noticing.
- Draw a large square on the floor with tape and let students walk its sides slowly as they breathe, if you have room.
- Invite students to tell you when it helped and when it did not. Some children find holding the breath uncomfortable, and a version without the hold works as well.
Related
Questions
Is this a medical or therapy tool?
No. It is a classroom calming routine. If a student has an anxiety condition or finds breathing exercises distressing, follow the guidance of their family and your school's counselor.
What if holding the breath is uncomfortable?
Skip the holds. Edit the boxes to say breathe in and breathe out, and the loop becomes two steps. Never push a child to hold their breath.
Can I change the count?
Yes. Edit the detail line in each box, for example to count to three for young children or to five for older students.
How do I save it as a PDF?
Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.
Can I print it in black and white?
Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.
Is what I type saved or sent anywhere?
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