Teaching Yoga to the Little Ones

topic posted Tue, February 3, 2009 - 6:27 AM by  Kafi
Share/Save/Bookmark
Advertisement
I work as the program coordinator at a child development center. I'm expected to develop a yoga program for children 6 weeks to 5 years in the next year. I'm looking for resources to make this possible. The center owns a yoga kids dvd, the yoga pretzels cards, the story time yoga book and yoga for the special child. I love yoga for the special child and am constantly inspired by it. The only problem that I can see with the methods that are proposed in that book is that some children don't like their body to be manipulated for them. My daughter is a prime example. I started working with her at 6 months and a year later she still won't let the process happen.

I want to understand teaching yoga to young children. If you have any experience, ideas, book titles or anything to share with me, it would be greatly appreciated.
posted by:
Kafi
Advertisement
Advertisement
  • Re: Teaching Yoga to the Little Ones

    Thu, February 5, 2009 - 9:21 PM
    Not sure where you live... but I would imagine talking to other dance / yoga instructors of little kids in the surrounding area would give you some good ideas.... I know the parks / Rec dept near my parents house have special Yoga classes for kids and whole family yoga classes....
    I've taught elementary children to dance for a year.... they were willing to work you definitely have to give them new goodies to work on and be an entertainer at times... and be willing to laugh with them.... Keep em busy and let's face it they will probably make it thru a 45 minute class tops then you may lose them..... I can also recomend keep most of it w/out trying to have them do the perfect poise... little minor adjustments here or there.... mostly tho kids want to have fun they are not interested in the perfection of a poise.... I can also recommend find as many fun descriptive words for each of the poises..... the more fun ways to describe poises the more it they will reach different kids...
    Some kids may not mind you manipulating their bodies.... children such as your daughter may need to express their own boundaries..... What's important in my opinion is the children are getting the chance if they are interested.....
    O.k..... that's my personal experience / advice... know of of no books... I like to check the library talk to reference librarians see what they can help you with if you want research material......
  • Re: Teaching Yoga to the Little Ones

    Sat, February 7, 2009 - 3:58 PM
    I teach yoga to preschool children. I can VOLUNTEER to give suggestions and work out a yoga curriculum for the children making it fun and exciting by making it age appropriate and also sequence the postures to suit children's physical abilities. I am currently starting to teach and devise a yoga curriculum integrating the theme or activities.
    I am in east bay, if your place it around bay area, I could help you out.

    Good luck!

Recent topics in "Teaching Yoga"

Topic Author Replies Last Post
Is yoga a religion? Drea 111 December 4, 2009
The Natural Position Briggi 2 December 2, 2009
Yoga and Disease Katrina 4 November 24, 2009
has anyone gotten certified by Yogafit? yogamoon 12 November 23, 2009