Research continues to provide evidence that kids who practice mindful breathing improve their impulse control and can hold their attention for longer periods of time. But how would you explain that to a small child? Mindful.org put together this video of children explaining how they use their breath can help in situations where they’re angry and upset.

Just 90 seconds to 2 minutes of steady, even breathing paired with mindful awareness can shift out of the sympathetic (“flight, fright or freeze”) nervous system and into the parasympathetic (“rest and digest) mode of operation.

When mind, body and breath are calm, the brain can give a more reasonable response to the homework, social interaction or disappointment that caused the emotional response.