New technique helps primary school pupils find some breathing space

Primary school children in Worksop are being taught special breathing techniques to help them feel calm.

Pupils learn how to focus on their breathing for up to five minutes before and after classes and assembly at school.

Project leaders say calmer breathing helps the children to control their emotions and reactions to the external environment.

Young ambassadors lead sessions in class and everyone is encouraged to take the technique home to try with their families and friends.

The Take Five initiative is the brain child of Mark Lilly who's been working Nottinghamshire County Council on the pilot.

A research study into programme's effects at two pilot schools, Worksop Priory CE Primary School and Sparken Hill Primary Academy, found the following benefits among pupils over a nine-week period have been reported:

• 88 per cent indicated a decrease in stress levels following the end of the nine week study

• 77 per cent of students reported an improvement in concentration levels

• 74 per cent indicated an increase in the level of calmness.

There are now plans to roll out the scheme to more schools across the area.

You can watch a full report report by Sarah Clark below: