Breathing exercises in the senior group of kindergarten: theory and practice

Important aspects of the theory

A set of breathing exercises aimed at strengthening the health of children, as well as teaching them to relax, which is most important for hyperactive children, is called breathing exercises.

Goals and objectives of breathing exercises in the senior group of preschool educational institutions

The goals of gymnastics are as follows:

• teach every child to breathe correctly and deeply;
• train the ability to coordinate your movements;
• develop the speech apparatus;
• have fun and useful time.

Breathing exercises for children should be of a playful nature, so you can develop the force of the exhaled air stream using masks of natural phenomena and the corresponding precipitation

Achieving the set goals is carried out by solving a number of tasks:

• create favorable conditions to provide all tissues of the body with oxygen;
• develop and strengthen respiratory muscles;
• develop vocal cords.

In addition, simple exercises help develop the sound culture of speech and help correct sound pronunciation disorders in children (for example, gymnastics with onomatopoeia). This is especially true for older preschoolers, in whom defects are more clearly identified than in younger children with not yet fully formed speech. Therefore, sets of breathing tasks are actively used in speech therapy groups.

This is interesting. If a child does not have problems with speech, then breathing exercises will in no way harm him.

The benefits of breathing exercises for a child are also obvious during the treatment of colds and other diseases. It is worth noting the fact that this gymnastics has practically no contraindications. Although if parents are unsure whether a particular exercise is suitable for their baby, they can consult a pediatrician.

The goals and objectives of the developed sets of exercises are the same for children of any age. However, the sets of tasks will differ, which is associated with the use of available tools that are interesting and useful for a particular period of development.

For breathing exercises, you can use attributes of board games, pieces of cotton wool, stickers, etc.

Types of breathing exercises

There are several original versions of the exercises, and the teacher has the right to choose one of the complexes or make a prefabricated one. Domestic kindergartens work using a number of methods:

• gymnastics by Strelnikova (author of the most popular breathing exercises);
• Frolov method (most of the exercises are performed on a specially designed device designed to improve the contractile function of the lungs, which helps cleanse them and saturate them with oxygen);
• Buteyko method (aimed at eliminating deep breathing; due to shallow inhalation and long exhalation, the lungs are saturated with oxygen, the bronchi and blood vessels dilate);
• breathing training according to the program M.L. Lazarev “Hello” (elements of breathing music therapy are used - singing, reading poetry, playing wind instruments).

This is interesting. Initially, Strelnikova’s gymnastics was used in working with professional vocalists to restore lost voices. This is how the first author's complex appeared.

Exercises can serve as the basis for individual or team competitions, for example, a variation of the “Football Players” exercise, when children must use a stream of exhaled air to deliver a thread ball to the target faster than their opponent.

Methods and techniques for performing exercises

According to the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard, breathing exercises are carried out in an accessible and interesting form for children - a game . There are different types of exercises:

• working with different ways to inhale and exhale without improvised means;
• strengthening the respiratory system with the help of improvised means (balloons, cotton balls, soap bubbles, harmonica, pipes, cut-out paper figures, cocktail straws, etc.).

Breathing exercises can be done as follows:

• rhythmic alternation of inhalation and exhalation;
• imitation of inflation;
• blowing/deflating (soap bubbles/light balls, such as cotton balls);
• whistling;
• playing wind instruments.

The same exercise can be played out in different ways: just change the scenery for football to turn into a game of “Feed the Caterpillar”

Requirements for performing gymnastics

Despite the apparent ease, performing the exercises is not so simple. But thanks to the playful form and compliance with the rules, breathing exercises are one of the favorite activities for children in the group, and the kids don’t even notice that they have seriously worked on improving their health.

1. In the older group, exercises are carried out 2 times a day for 10 minutes, no earlier than an hour after meals. The best option is ten minutes in the morning while charging.
2. In the summer, children go outside to complete tasks.
3. Before you start working, the room needs to be well ventilated and wet cleaned.
4. In order for the children to be involved in the process of execution, each exercise must be called an original and, if possible, funny name.
5. The group must have pictures that help children better understand the plot that accompanies the performance of gymnastics movements.
6. Parents and teachers must act harmoniously, since performing the exercises does not tolerate idle relaxation and forgetfulness. Parents should know what kind of gymnastics the kids do in the group and periodically repeat the exercises, especially on weekends and during the holidays.

   Parents should repeat with their children the breathing exercises they learned in kindergarten, for example, blowing on dandelions to train the power of exhalation.

What is breathing exercises?

Breathing exercises are a set of exercises aimed at developing and strengthening the body’s respiratory system. Prescribed for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Gymnastics is widely used as part of complex therapy in the treatment of diseases, as well as for general health improvement in children of preschool and school age.

Breathing exercises help prevent colds and bronchitis, recover from pneumonia and strengthen the child’s immunity. Developing the respiratory system increases the body's endurance during physical activity and improves brain function.

With regular exercise, lung volume increases and the respiratory muscles are strengthened. People suffering from bronchial asthma experience a reduction in the frequency of attacks.

REFERENCE! Breathing exercises saturate the child’s brain cells with oxygen - this helps him remember information better and participate more actively in the learning process.

Card file of breathing exercises in the senior group

As a rule, each teacher has a card index of exercises for the development of the respiratory system, that is, a certain complex in which each exercise has its own purpose. This gymnastics is performed in a certain order, so that it is easier for children to navigate the tasks, and the time for performing the complex is distributed rationally.

Basic complex

The basic complex was created based on the developments of A.N. Strelnikova, but supplemented with content relevant to children (for example, rhymes). The complex includes exercises that form the basis of breathing exercises, aimed at lengthening and intensifying exhalation. All movements are performed at a calm pace, without jerking. You need to start with 4-5 repetitions of each exercise, gradually the frequency of execution increases by 1-2 times and reaches 10.

"Watch"

The clock moves forward, / Leads us behind it.

Instructions:

1. We place the legs at shoulder level, and place the arms along the body.
2. With straight arms we make movements reminiscent of the movement of the hands of a clock - “Tick”, arms forward, inhale.
3. We move our hands behind our backs - “So,” exhale.

"Cockerel"

The rooster flapped his wings, / He suddenly woke us all up.

Instructions:

1. We place the legs shoulder-width apart, and lower the arms at the seams.
2. We move our arms to the sides and inhale.
3. We clap our hands on the thighs - “Ku-ka-re-ku”, exhale.

"Pump"

We will pump up water / To water the flowers.

Instructions:

1. We place the legs at shoulder level, lift the arms up without bending them.
2. Bend your body to the right and inhale.
3. We lower our hands down with a sliding movement and, pronouncing the sound “Ssss,” exhale.

"I'll be big"

I want to grow up quickly, / Do good for people.

Instructions:

1. We stand straight, legs together.
2. We place our arms to the sides parallel to the floor, then lift and stretch upward on our toes, inhale.
3. We make a downward movement with our hands, stand on a full foot and, saying: “Uuuhhh,” exhale.

"Merry little engine"

The sun is shining, / The clouds are floating, / The little train is moving: / Chukh-chukh-chukh-chukh-chukh.

Instructions:

1. We walk around the room, making movements with our hands. We accompany the mise-en-scène with the sound “Choo-Choo.”
2. We make a stop and as we exhale we say: “Tu-tuuuuuu.”

"Semaphore"

The most important one on the road, / There is no worry with him.

Instructions:

1. We sit on a chair, legs together.
2. We swing our arms to the sides while inhaling.
3. We lower it slowly, exhaling for a long time with the sound “Ssss.”

At the end of the complex, you must perform 2 exercises to stabilize breathing.

Quietly, quietly we will breathe, / We will hear our heart.

Instructions:

1. The initial pose is standing, arms extended at the sides.
2. We inhale through the nose until the air begins to expand the chest.
3. We freeze for 4–5 seconds.
4. We also exhale through the nose.
5. Repeat 2-3 times.

Breathe with one nostril, / And peace will come to you.

Instructions:

1. We close the nostril of the same name with the index finger of our right hand, and inhale quietly and continuously with our left nostril.
2. We open the right nostril and close the left one with the index finger of the same hand.
3. Exhale deeply through the right nostril.
4. We do 2 approaches.

Card index of exercises on various topics

Breathing exercises are selected not only according to goals (although this is a fundamental factor in the choice), but also according to the topics that the group classes are devoted to, in this case, children 5–6 years old. These exercises are especially often used as physical education. In this way, the teacher solves the problem of comprehensive education in a preschool institution. A significant part of the exercises involves onomatopoeia, which allows you to correct speech defects in older children.

Theme: "Autumn"

• "Angry hedgehog." Goal: work on the smoothness and duration of exhalation. This exercise can be included in the list of current tasks when kids talk about animals that, even in the wild, live as close to humans as possible. Instructions:
  Introduction - 2 minutes. “Guys, stand so that your feet are at shoulder level.”
• “Now we bend as much as possible, trying to hug our chest, lower our head and, exhaling, say: “Pfff” - 1 minute.
• But then the hedgehog was treated to a delicious gingerbread, and he became joyful. “F-r-r” - 1 minute.
• Repeat 4-5 times. “Well done!”

• "Leaf fall." To complete this exercise you will need leaves of different types of trees cut out of colored paper. Instructions:
  Introduction - 1 minute.
• We give each child several leaves cut out of thin colored paper and ask them to blow on them for 2 minutes. Please note that the leaves should be cut into different shapes for different trees. And while doing the exercise, explain which leaf fell from which tree.
• Repeat 3-5 times - 2-3 minutes. “They did a great job, and at the same time they remembered the names of the trees!”

Video: breathing exercises in the senior group, exercise “In the autumn forest”

Topic: "Professions"

• "Adjuster". The goal is to develop a breathing apparatus. He will show us the right path, / He will show us all the turns. Instructions:
  We stand straight, legs at shoulder level, raise one arm up, and move the other to the side - 1 minute.
• Inhale through your nose for ½ minute.
• We change the position of the hands while exhaling slowly, saying “r-r-r-r” - 1 minute.
• Repeat 5-6 times - 2-3 minutes.

• "Footballers." A special place in the process of performing physical education is occupied by exercises that are performed using improvised means. Such tasks help maintain children's interest for a long time. Goal: learn to direct the stream of exhaled air. Instructions:
  Introduction - 2 minutes.
• We sit down with the children and place 2 cotton balls on a sheet of thick paper or cardboard. We blow on them so that they fall to the floor - 2 minutes.
• Repeat 5-6 times - 1-2 minutes.

Topic: “Seasons”

• "Little Artists" An excellent exercise that, for example, will help brighten up the minutes of waiting in bad weather. Goal: learn to hold your breath and exhale completely. Instructions:
  Children are asked to exhale several times into the window - 1 minute. Then the teacher asks you to draw some kind of picture on this piece. The teacher’s task is the point of intersection with the specific topic of the lesson.
• The teacher discusses the resulting drawings with the children.

• "Butterflies". Goal: to train the skill of giving a certain direction to the stream of exhaled air. Instructions:
  We cut butterflies out of paper, attach them to long threads and place them either on the ceiling or on the wall.
• Children blow on insects so that they “fly”.

Children enjoy doing breathing exercises using available tools.

Exercises for children of different ages

The set of exercises for children of different ages is different. It will be easier for preschoolers to complete activities in a playful way; they need to be involved in the process and interested. Older children can approach gymnastics more consciously - exercises can be done in a calm environment, listening to their body.

Preschool

1. “Balloon” Stand with your legs apart and imagine an invisible balloon in your hands. When an adult counts “one, two,” take a deep breath, drawing air into your lungs. On the count of “three, four,” exhale forcefully, filling an imaginary ball. At the same time, show with your hands how the ball increases in size.
2. “Hippopotamus” Children sit or lie down, put their hand on their stomach and breathe deeply. An adult says the words: “The hippos sat down and touched their bellies. The tummies swell (inhalation occurs), and then the tummies deflate (exhale).”
3. “Birds” Children walk slowly, imitating the movement of a bird’s wings with their hands. When you swing up, you inhale, when you lower your arms, you exhale. At the same time, the adult accompanies the game with the phrases: “The birds are flying south,” “The birds are flapping their wings, lowering their wings.”
4. “Soap bubble” Children stand in a circle, holding hands. They must inflate a huge soap bubble, the boundaries of which they themselves have become. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale forcefully. The imaginary bubble between the children is inflated, and with each exhalation they take a step back. The adult encourages: “Blow up a bubble, blow up big! Don’t burst!” When the children have moved as far as possible from each other, the leader claps his hands and shouts: “The bubble has burst!” Children scatter in different directions (small bubbles fly away).
5. “Diving under water” The child must imagine that he has to swim under water. To do this, he takes a deep breath, then holds his breath for the maximum amount of time. In this case, you can hold your nose with your hand or imitate swimming by slowly spreading your arms

REFERENCE! It is very useful to blow soap bubbles and balloons, blow on dandelions and feathers. This promotes the development of fine output regulation.

School

1. “Breathing with one nostril” A very useful exercise for improving brain function. Stand up straight, body relaxed. Close your left nostril with your finger and take a deep, long breath. Open your nostril and close your right one, exhale slowly. Then do it in reverse order and repeat 5-6 times.
2. “Deep cleansing” Carry out in any comfortable position - sitting, lying or standing. First, exhale as much air as possible from your lungs, then inhale slowly and deeply, protruding your chest forward and trying to squeeze your shoulder blades together. Take three sharp, strong exhalations through closed lips. Repeat the exercise 3 times.
3. “Breathing restoration” Basic exercise after physical activity. The child inhales air through the nose, filling the lungs as much as possible. Holds your breath for a few seconds and exhales slowly through your mouth. The exercise is repeated until calm breathing is completely restored.
4. “Strengthening the lungs” Stand up straight, arms extended in front of you, clench your fists. Slowly inhale deeply and hold your breath. Make three quick movements, spreading your arms as far as possible to the sides and behind your back and returning them back to the starting position. After this, exhale forcefully.
5. “Class for athletes” Take an emphasis position lying on a gymnastic bench. Inhale slowly through your nose and hold your breath. Slowly move your body into a high plank position, resting only on your palms and toes. Return to the starting position and slowly exhale all the air from your lungs.

REFERENCE! Classes with schoolchildren, starting from the first grade, are held for 10-30 minutes.

Breathing exercises in classes at preschool educational institutions

Everything is good in moderation - this principle also applies to respiratory exercises. It takes 10 to 12 minutes to complete a set of 6–7 tasks. In this case, time is distributed between exercises as follows:

• introductory part - exercises that do not require complex combinations of movements, inhale and exhale at a normal pace - 3 minutes;
• the main part - tasks with a combination of inhalation-exhalation tempo and complicated movements, as well as changing body posture - 5 minutes;
• the final part is exercises to restore the rhythm of breathing, the body position is static - 2-3 minutes.

It is also worth taking into account the fact that often 1-2 breathing exercises are included in the tasks for physical education classes. In this case, time is allocated for their completion in proportion to other tasks.

Table: example of a breathing exercises summary (fragment)

Recommendations for conducting

In kindergartens, breathing exercises are performed daily once or twice a day. The right time to do it is a morning walk and the period after the end of the “quiet hour”. At school - in physical education classes.

Basic recommendations for all age groups:

• Breathing exercises invigorate the body, so it is not advisable to do them before bed.
• Exercising on an empty stomach can be dangerous and can cause dizziness. At the same time, it is also not worth doing gymnastics immediately after eating in order to avoid digestive problems. The optimal time is an hour after eating.
• Gymnastics must take place in the fresh air. If it is not possible to go outside, the room must be well ventilated.
• There should be no dust in the room where classes are held that children will inhale.
• It is advisable that clothing be loose and not compress the chest and abdomen.
• For children aged two to three years, a complex of one to three lessons , lasting no more than 10 minutes, . Due to their age, they will not be able to practice for longer and may become distracted soon after they begin.
• To attract preschoolers to perform, gymnastics should be carried out in the form of a game. You can also invite children to smell flowers or guess what smell appeared in the air.
• The body should be relaxed during exercise, the muscles of the neck, arms and chest should not be tense.
• When inhaling and exhaling, the cheeks should not puff up (the exception is play exercises for younger children). This can be observed by placing your hands on them.

IMPORTANT! Breathing exercises have contraindications. Exercises are prohibited for persons suffering from heart disease and during acute inflammatory lung diseases and viral infections.

Photo gallery: a set of exercises in pictures

The “Clock” exercise needs to be repeated 10–12 times. Correct breathing is the key to excellent playing of wind instruments. The “Locomotive” exercise will help pass the time in line at the doctor or hairdresser. The “On the horizontal bar” exercise can be included in the warm-up before physical education. Exercises with the ball are one of the children's favorites Children enjoy doing exercises that are about growing up

Breathing exercises are not only an effective way to preserve and strengthen the immune system and develop speech, but also a fun game. Therefore, children do not have any difficulties performing the exercises, and interest and pleasure accompany the educational process. The main thing is to artistically present the plot of the fun, as well as methodically and competently weave it into the overall outline of the lesson.

Tolkachev gymnastics

Tolkachev's breathing exercises are very simple and interesting; they can be performed when you need to relax.

1. Rocking chair - sitting, place your hands on your knees. We rock back and forth with the sound “Fr-o-o-h.”
2. The Christmas tree is growing - stand straight, arms down, legs apart, squat as you exhale with the word “Fear-x-x”, raise your arms in front of you, while inhaling we rise to the starting position.
3. Bunny - we stand with our legs apart and our arms down, squatting, as we exhale we say “fr-r”, bend our elbows, bringing the backs of our hands to our shoulders, like a bunny. We do it slowly.
4. Geese hiss - spread your legs, keep your feet parallel, gymnastic stick in the crook of your arms, lean forward with the sound “sh-sh-sh”, stretch your neck and look forward.
5. We press our knees - we sit down with our legs extended, a gymnastic stick under our knees, we pull our legs behind our knees with a stick to our chest with the sound “oof”, as we exhale we straighten our legs and lower our arms again.
6. Rowers - sit down and spread your legs, stick at your chest. We bend forward while exhaling with the sound “gu-u”, touch our toes with the stick, straighten up again, bringing the stick to our chest.