When I asked a group of kindergarten teachers which challenges in the classroom kept them up at night, here’s what they said:
- Their bodies need to move, and they have a hard time sitting still.
- Their engines are running high, and they have a hard time settling down.
- They are constantly interrupting each other and not listening to one another.
- They find it hard to make time to do everything that is beneficial to all the students.
- Many of the children lack self-control and are very impulsive.
- A lot of the children have self-regulation issues and have a hard time focusing on specific tasks.
Does this sound familiar?
I’ve been hearing that children everywhere are having dysregulation issues. Some people say it’s due to increased technology use and over-scheduled lives. Whatever the reason, many early childhood teachers are turning to yoga and mindfulness to help their children calm down and focus in their classrooms.
Teachers are hearing about the benefits of yoga:
- increases strength and flexibility
- helps them relax, unwind, and calm down to reduce stress and anxiety
- helps them sleep better
- promotes interaction between adult and child, as well as between multiple children
- improves their fine and gross motor skills, as well as their coordination
- develops self-confidence, self-expression, and body awareness
- promotes a healthy, active lifestyle
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But the question remains – how do you get started with yoga in the classroom with little or no experience yourself?
The good news is that you don’t have to know it all or do it all. Keep it simple, meaningful, and fun. After looking at the list of five main resources below, pick out one idea that you’d like to start with in your classroom.
Here are three steps to getting started:
STEP ONE:
Notice what specific challenges your children are facing (ex. Could they use some strengthening exercises after sitting for long periods? Could they benefit from mindful moment breaks to help with subject transitions?)
STEP TWO:
Get curious about some potential yoga and mindfulness practices (ex. Would you prefer to teach them some basic yoga poses? Would a breathing technique help with starting your morning class meeting?)
STEP THREE:
Pick one technique, try it out yourself first, and then introduce it to your children.
So, what does it look like to integrate yoga into your classroom?
Follow your own interests and passion, and the children will feed off of your enthusiasm. Remember yoga is a lifestyle, not something to perfect overnight. Your classroom yoga experience will be personal to your classroom depending on what you are interested in. For example:
- If you love yoga postures, print out a yoga poster below and practice a five-pose sequence based on a particular theme.
- If you are inspired to start a daily meditation practice at home, then maybe you’d like to introduce a “sitting silently” practice in your classroom after recess to help to refocus.
- If breathing techniques help you calm your own anxiety, try introducing Flower Breath before each class meeting to help your students slow down and calm their bodies.
- If you’re more into playful games, then grab a deck of yoga cards and play yoga card games with your students.
- If you’re a book buff, then try reading and acting out a yoga book in your reading corner or projecting a PDF yoga book on your smartboard.
There is no right answer of how to get started with yoga in the classroom. But the main idea is to just get started. Give it a go and remember that you are planting seeds in your children to create a healthy practice for life.
How to Get Started with Yoga in the Early Childhood Classroom
Click on the links below for five ways to use yoga resources to introduce yoga in your early childhood classroom:
1. Learn yoga poses for kids:
2. Practice breathing exercises:
3. Play with yoga cards for kids:
4. Practice 5-pose flow sequences:
- Search “Printable Poster” on our KidsYogaStories.com website for a variety of downloadable posters
- Yoga Activities for Kids: 5-pose posters for 30 themes
5. Read yoga books:
- The Grateful Giraffe: A Feelings Yoga Book
- Rachel’s Day in the Garden: A Kids Yoga Garden Book
- Toddler Yoga Pack
Other resources:
- Join our free weekly Kids Yoga Stories newsletter for yoga tips and kids yoga resources
- Watch “4 Steps to Teaching Yoga to Kids”
- Print Classroom Yoga Poster
- Download the Ultimate Kids Yoga Planner
- “Benefits of Yoga for Kids”
- “Integrating Mindfulness in your Classroom Curriculum”
- Join our digital Kids Yoga Monthly subscription
Yoga theme ideas:
- Collection of Toddler Yoga Ideas
- Collection of Chair Yoga Ideas for Kids
- Seasonal Yoga Lesson Plans
- Monthly Kids Yoga Themes
- Holiday Yoga Lesson Plans
- Fun Kids Yoga Class Ideas
Download your How to Get Started with Yoga in the Classroom Poster
Check Out Classroom Yoga in 10 Minutes a Day Workbook
This digital yoga and mindfulness workbook is a wonderful resource to easily integrate these much-needed practices into your classroom – whether it’s in-person, virtually, or a hybrid of both. And, to do so within just 10 minutes a day!
The ready-to-use workbook contain everything you need to do yoga in just 10 minutes a day for 16 weeks of the school year. It’s super easy to use. Just download, print, and play! And if you’re teaching virtually, you can easily share it online with your students and families!
“I used week 1 postures with my p1 class (age 5) this afternoon & they were fab, they loved it. Thank you for such a well planned resource, everything in the one place. ” – Annie S
Instantly download Classroom Yoga in 10 Minutes a Day here
May We Also Suggest Yoga in the Classroom Bundle
Powerfully teach yoga in the classroom with this bundle of tools. You’ll have confidence and new ideas to hit the ground running this school year!
With this vast and carefully curated library of Kids Yoga Stories resources, you’ll be a yoga powerhouse in the classroom. You’ll have confidence and plenty of new ideas to hit the ground running this school year.
Bring yoga to your classroom with these powerful and thoughtfully curated Kids Yoga Stories resources. Experiment with the lessons in the classroom, at circle time, or outside on a nice day!
This package includes everything you need to easily incorporate yoga into your classroom: a monthly planner, yoga books, yoga posters, yoga cards, and yoga images to create your own plan.
This bundle is for children in Pre-K through 3rd Grade.
Ages: Under 8 years old.
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You May Also Enjoy:
You Might Also Like:
List of 58 Yoga Poses for Kids
Seasonal Kids Yoga Lesson Plans
Monthly Kids Yoga Themes
Holiday Kids Yoga Lesson Plans
Kids Yoga Ideas Using Children’s Books
Fun Kids Yoga Class Ideas
Get Updates from Kids Yoga Stories
For more yoga tips and kids yoga resources, join our weekly Kids Yoga Stories newsletter by adding your name and email to the box at the top of the page.
I saw you in Soar to Success Summit today!
You opened my world! I teach first grade and I want to try this!
Thank you for sharing!
Excellent, thanks so much, Heidi! We’re here to help!
Giselle
Hi ! I met you at soar to success summit. I am eager to implement it in my child care in India 🇮🇳.
I love your poster! I recently included it in my new blog post about Yoga in the classroom with a direct link to your page. Thanks!
That’s fantastic. And, thank YOU!