Breathing Bubbles
Breathing Bubbles gallery
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Breathing Bubbles is a beautifully designed emotional regulation tool that helps kids focus on releasing a worry or receiving a joy. This may be especially beneficial for kids who struggle with labeling emotions, moving beyond an event that is causing anxiety, or handling stress in an appropriate manner. Kids are asked to name their emotion, determine how intense it is, and then focus on a digital bubble that contains a user-created worry or joy. Younger kids who struggle with writing independently may need adult help to use this tool effectively.What kids can learn
Vibrant, peaceful colors and a cute sea creature make this tool engaging for all ages.
Breathing Bubbles draws on the therapeutic practices of releasing anxieties, collecting positive thoughts, and deep breathing.
A tutorial is available on the opening screen, but would be more helpful if read to kids. The interface is easy to use and provides an appropriate level of support.
What's it about?
When opening BREATHING BUBBLES, kids are prompted to select an emotion (mad, silly, sad, or worried) and then choose how strongly they are experiencing that emotion. On the next screen, kids decide whether to release a worry or receive a joy. In either instance, the white manatee at the bottom of the screen prompts kids to write a worry or joy. When releasing a worry, the bubble floats further away as Manny helps kids practice deep, slow breathing. When receiving a joy, the bubble comes closer with the same deep breathing prompts.
Is it any good?
Breathing Bubbles is a simple, effective tool that will empower kids who usually feel out of control by allowing them a concrete way to cope with strong emotions. They will also practice deep breathing, which could be a calming practice they can internalize and use away from the app. Because it's simple and approachable, most kids will find it easy to use; however, kids who have trouble writing or typing will need guidance to use speech-to text if they are not familiar with how it works. Having optional sound might also broaden its impact for kids who need text-to-speech to help them read "How to Play" or play music that helps them feel calmer. Also, extension activities to help kids apply what they learn from using the app would deepen its impact.
Families can talk about...
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Families can talk about how different people handle emotions in different ways. Talk about what makes individual family members worry and then compare them. Decide the best way to handle moments when kids feel anxious and make a plan for how they can manage their fear or worry in a safe way.
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Ask kids what everyday events bring them joy. As they learn to name the positive encounters in their lives or the things that make them happy, they might be able to focus on those instances during times anxiety in the future.
App details
| Devices: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android |
| Price: | Free |
| Pricing structure: | Free |
| Release date: | May 6, 2015 |
| Category: | Education |
| Size: | 11.90 MB |
| Publisher: | Momentous Institute |
| Version: | 2 |
| Minimum software requirements: | 8.0 or later |
