Yoga for Kids: How to Engage & Excite Them
Any kind of activity that kids do can quickly become boring to them and as a result, they disengage. The last thing you want, as a parent or a kids yoga teacher, is for your kiddos to not like doing yoga with you anymore. So when it comes to yoga for kids, how can you engage them and excite them so that they are not only enjoying yoga (and keeping a great association), but getting the most benefit? Read ahead for my tips on keeping it fresh but somewhat predictable!
Keeping kids engaged and excited during yoga….
Consistency. It seems a little oxymoronic, but kids do crave some semblance of predictability so that they feel a sense of comfort and ritual, which is important in yoga! Kids who are Autistic and/or neurodivergent really appreciate knowing what to expect too. That doesn’t mean class has to be the same exact way every time, but it does mean that you need to have predictable features as well practicing often, and consistently enough that they look forward to it. Once or twice a week is great, as well as little 10 minute yoga breaks daily!
Do not try to make it an adult class. Yea, it has to be said! Kids yoga is teaching the absolute fundamentals: meditation, relaxation, unity, and pranayama, but we must meet them at the appropriate developmental level! Be in tune with the flow and energy of the class. Do kids seem bored? Play a game! Are they full of extra energy? Do some funky and powerful sun salutations back-to-back. Is your language understandable? Tell stories about the poses. You have to meet kids where they are…in childhood.
Be a kid yourself! Your kids want to connect with you. Get interested in the things they are into. You’ll need to know about Roblox, and when the next Moana is coming out. You’ll win bonus points if you know who Moriah Elizabeth is and if you have a favorite Pokemon. This has the additional benefit of being able to morph its way into a class or event. Some of my most popular events involve popular characters and imaginary beings!
Keep it moving! You cannot have long lulls. Not only is it important for behavior management, it is important for kids who have been sitting a large portion of the day or whose minds are 90 to nothing. You have to either have a plan with little pauses or know how to teach so well that you can think on the spot of the next thing. Of course, you can always give a limited option (do not give an open-ended one, trust me!), such as “do you want to teach your favorite pose or do partner poses”?
Stay learning, always! Keep reading books and taking trainings. Keep practicing and gaining experience. It doesn’t matter if you are only doing kids yoga with your own children or students, constant learning is one of the keys to happiness and amazing results, if you ask me!