Yoga enthusiasts believe that the discipline of yoga unites the body, mind and spirit. Participants increase flexibility by moving through various poses while focusing on their breathing. Yoga for tots and toddlers, approximately 1 to 3 years old, follows the same principles as yoga for adults with the added benefit of allowing a child to participate in a fun, peer-oriented activity. Adaptations are made to accommodate children's immature skeletal frames and short attention spans.
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga for tots and toddlers teaches body awareness as children take on the poses of different elements in their environment. Adaptations involve having these young children tell stories and interact with their teachers, building language skills. Listening skills are increased because children receive instruction from the facilitator. They learn cooperation through working with the others in their classes, and their skills at observing the world around them are enhanced.
Maintaining Attention
Tots and toddlers have very short attention spans, and getting them to focus long enough to hold a yoga pose can be a challenge. Hold a young child's attention by having him assume positions named after animals and allow him to make the noises the animal makes while holding poses. There are opportunities to bark while in "downward dog," hiss like a snake during "cobra" and meow like a cat while in the the "cat stretch." A good facilitator has your child talk, recite the alphabet, tell a story or imagine he is one of the animals, trees, flowers or warriors he is imitating.
Adaptations for Children
Yoga for young children involves a more hands-on, interactive approach than yoga for older children and adults. Tot and toddler yoga is centered around playing, crawling and walking, working the large muscle groups, rather than receiving instruction on how to hold strict poses to develop the small muscle groups, as in adult yoga. Children talk and even sing while making the movements. Poses are more active in response to children's higher levels of activity and shorter attention spans. Imitating the facilitator is key, rather than listening to verbal instruction.
Considerations
When selecting a yoga class for your tot or toddler, ensure that the class has been adapted for his young body and short attention span. Dr. Eric Small, who chairs the American Academy of Pediatrics, indicates that yoga classes for young children are not effective in warding off obesity and, if done incorrectly, can damage a child's underdeveloped skeletal frames. Observe any classes you are considering and watch that the children are not forced into unnatural poses. The emphasis should be on fun, rather than adhering to a strict fitness regime. Look for classes focusing on crawling and walking, less on ensuring strict form.
