How Yoga Helps Learning In Child Care

Yoga, the ancient practice of stretching, endurance and breathing has been used for 5000 years for a good reason.  Its use in many childcare centres has provided benefits to children across the curriculum.

Arrente artist, Fiona, had heard of the many benefits of yoga for kids.  Interested in finding an Alice Springs day care centre for her daughter that incorporated yoga sessions, she used childcare directory, Space, to find centres that included yoga in the programme.

She asked the yoga teacher, Kim, about how she thought yoga helped learning in childcare.

Increased Focus

Kim told Fiona that introducing yoga into the early learning programme helped children with their learning across the curriculum.  The time spent in deep breathing, gentle stretches and holding poses rested the children’s minds as well as strengthening their bodies.  When they returned to their activities, she found that the enhanced oxygenation as well as enforced focus allowed them to be more attuned to new ideas.

Awareness And Control Of Your Body

During a yoga session, Kim teaches the children how to isolate and concentrate on each part of their body in turn which helps them during other physical education activities.  She saw children enjoying physical play more once yoga skills taught them to co-ordinate their body and use their muscles more efficiently.  The improved mental and physical focus combined improved the use of their bodies in ball skills, climbing, running and jumping.

Stress and Pain Relief.

Abdominal breathing, an integral part of yoga, provides the children with a stress relieving tool that they can carry with them for life.  Kim teaches the children do this in a fun and relaxing setting.

She explained that abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing releases endorphins while the deep inhalation of oxygen and slow breathing reduces the heart rate and interrupts the release of stress inducing cortisol.

She sees children using these techniques during the day and is happy to observe them meeting challenges head on by using yoga breathing to reduce stress and anxiety.

An Inclusive Activity

Yoga is an activity that children of all sizes and shapes can participate in equally.  Kim finds that incorporating yoga into the early learning programme provides an opportunity to teach children equality and raise self-esteem.  Helping increase body awareness and control, as well improving children’s well being through yoga, reflects in children’s learning across the curriculum.  The children approach activities and learning with a more positive attitude and a stronger belief in themselves.

Better Sleep, More Active Mind

Sleep is essential to learning, helping with focus and concentration. Yoga helps children relax, lower their heart rate and induce sleep which in turn lets them start the day refreshed and invigorated.

After finding the centre on the Space directory, and talking with Kim, Fiona felt she had found the right centre for her child.  Hearing the multiple benefits of yoga, she joined Kim’s adult classes herself and found that yoga worked as well for her as it did her daughter.