Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments Plan

Guide a 5th grade student through a 10-minute mindfulness break featuring sensory check-in, belly breathing, bubble breaths, and reflection to build self-regulation skills.

This individual mindfulness session reduces anxiety, improves focus, and teaches coping strategies, giving the student tools to manage stress and distractions.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Five-Finger Focus Warm-up

2 minutes

Step 2

Breathing Technique Introduction

2 minutes

Step 3

Bubble Breaths Activity

3 minutes

Step 4

Reflection

2 minutes

Step 5

Closure & Takeaway

1 minute

Slide Deck

Breathing Buddy

Welcome the student and introduce the activity. Explain that today we’ll use a favorite stuffed buddy to practice belly breathing—an easy way to calm our bodies and minds.

What Is Belly Breathing?

Define belly breathing in simple terms. Show how breathing deeply fills the belly first, not the chest. Encourage curiosity and observation.

Let’s Practice Together

Guide the student step-by-step through the practice. Lead them with counts: inhale 1–2–3–4, exhale 1–2–3–4. Model with your own stuffed buddy or have the student follow along.

How Do You Feel?

Encourage reflection. Ask the student to notice any difference in how they feel now compared to before. Reinforce that this is a tool they can use anytime they feel anxious.

Lesson Plan

Mindful Moments Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

Step 1

Five-Finger Focus Warm-up

Step 2

Breathing Technique Introduction

Step 3

Bubble Breaths Activity

Step 4

Reflection

Step 5

Closure & Takeaway

Slide Deck

Breathing Buddy

What Is Belly Breathing?

Let’s Practice Together

How Do You Feel?

Activity

Warm Up

Mini Mindful Break

Kristen MacConnell