Why do we breathe?
We breathe to bring fresh air into our bodies, because air has something we need.
Pip’s answer
- We breathe to bring fresh air into our bodies, because air has something we need.
- Air goes in your nose or mouth and fills two lungs like soft balloons.
- Your lungs give oxygen from the air to your blood, and your heart pumps it around.
- Wow-ee, oxygen helps every tiny bit of you make energy, so you can play!
Try it together
Can you take a big, slow balloon breath in and out?
For grown-ups
We breathe to bring oxygen into the lungs. Oxygen passes into the blood through tiny air sacs called alveoli, and the heart pumps it around the body, where cells use it to release energy from food. Breathing out removes carbon dioxide, a waste product.
Ask your child: Can you feel your tummy rise when you take a big breath?
More questions kids ask
- ❤️Why does my heart beat?
- 🧑🚀Why can't we breathe in space?
- 🥱Why do we yawn?
- 😴Why do we need to sleep?
- 🧼Why do I have to wash my hands?
- 🪥Why do I have to brush my teeth?
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