Ayo’s 5-Finger Breathing Poster & Flashcards Set

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Ayo’s 5-Finger Breathing Poster & Flashcards Set is a thoughtfully designed calming toolkit that helps children learn how to slow their breathing, regulate big emotions, and reconnect with their bodies in a gentle, age-appropriate way.

Using the simple and effective 5-Finger Breathing technique, children are guided to trace each finger while breathing slowly in and out. The consistent visuals and soft watercolour illustrations allow children to follow along easily, reducing cognitive load and supporting emotional safety.

• 1 illustrated 5-Finger Breathing Poster featuring Ayo

• A full set of 5-Finger Breathing Flashcards

Ayo’s 5-Finger Breathing Poster 

A calm breathing guide for children

Ayo’s 5-Finger Breathing Poster is a calming resource for children that teaches gentle breathing and emotional regulation through finger tracing. Ideal for homes, classrooms, calm corners, and therapy settings, this child-friendly poster helps children slow down, manage big feelings, and feel calm and safe using a simple, evidence-informed breathing technique.

Big feelings can show up anywhere — at home, in the classroom, before bed, or during transitions. Ayo’s 5-Finger Breathing Poster is a gentle, child-friendly visual tool designed to help children slow down, regulate their breathing, and feel calm and safe in their bodies.

Using a simple finger-tracing technique paired with slow, steady breathing, this poster supports children to calm their nervous system in a way that feels natural, accessible, and pressure-free. Children trace each finger of their hand while breathing in and out slowly, helping their body shift from a state of overwhelm into a calmer, more settled state.

Ayo models each step with a warm, reassuring presence, making the strategy easy for children to follow independently or with adult support.

Why 5-Finger Breathing?

5-finger breathing is a well-established, evidence-informed grounding technique that combines:

• slow breathing

• gentle movement

• visual focus

Together, these support emotional regulation by helping the body settle before words or problem-solving are needed. This makes it especially helpful for children who struggle to calm down when emotions feel big.

Designed With Children in Mind

This poster has been carefully designed to be:

• Calm and uncluttered, reducing sensory overload

• Predictable and consistent, supporting emotional safety

• Easy to follow, with minimal text and clear visuals

• Inclusive and accessible, suitable for neurodivergent children and different learning needs

There are no step numbers, questions, or performance expectations. Children are simply invited to follow along at their own pace.

How to Use the Poster

• Display in bedrooms, classrooms, calm corners, therapy rooms, or waiting areas

• Encourage children to practise during calm moments so it feels familiar when emotions rise

• Use as a visual reminder during transitions, before school, or at bedtime

• Allow children to use it independently or alongside a trusted adult

If a child finds breathing difficult, they can focus on the finger tracing alone — the movement itself can still support calming.

Who Is It For?

• Children aged approximately 4–10

• Parents and caregivers

• Teachers and school staff

• Therapists and support professionals

Suitable for home, school, and therapeutic settings.

Format

• Digital poster (printable)

• Designed for A3 size printing

• High-resolution, print-ready file

• Can also be printed at smaller sizes (A4 or A5) if needed

• Suitable for colour printing and lamination

A Gentle Tool for Everyday Calm

Ayo’s 5-Finger Breathing Poster is not about fixing behaviour or stopping emotions. It’s about helping children learn that they have a simple, reliable way to support their body when feelings feel overwhelming.

Calm is not something children have to earn — it’s something they can practise.

Ayo’s 5-Finger Breathing Flashcards

Ayo’s 5-Finger Breathing Flashcards break the breathing process into small, manageable steps, making emotional regulation easier for children to understand and practice — one moment at a time.

Each card focuses on a single step of 5-Finger Breathing, allowing adults to guide children slowly and responsively, or enabling children to work through the sequence independently. The clear visuals, consistent colour palette, and calm expressions help reduce cognitive load while reinforcing rhythm, pacing, and safety.

These flashcards are especially helpful for:

• younger children

• children who need visual structure

• children who benefit from repetition and predictability

They can be used one-to-one, in small groups, or as part of a calm-down routine at home or school.

What’s Included

• A full set of illustrated 5-Finger Breathing Flashcards

• Step-by-step visuals using Ayo

• Simple, reassuring prompts for breathing and tracing

• A consistent visual system that matches the poster and pages

Format

• Digital download (PDF)

• High-resolution, print-ready

• Designed for A6 or A5 cards

• Suitable for:

  • laminating

  • ring binding

  • calm-corner baskets

  • therapy toolkits

Best For

• Calm corners & regulation kits

• Classrooms & early years settings

• Therapy and SEN support

• Home routines & emotional check-ins

How the Poster & Flashcards Work Together

• The poster provides a constant visual reminder

• The flashcards support guided practice and skill-building

• Together, they reinforce calm through repetition, familiarity, and trust