This school year, our school introduced Yoga practice in kindergarten, an excellent opportunity that has enriched the children’s experience and helped them grow in a happier and healthier way.
In the preschool context, yoga appears as a fun and educational activity with significant benefits for children’s physical, emotional, and social development, helping them grow in a balanced and healthy manner while promoting well-being.
Yoga for children is an adaptation of the traditional practice, with postures, movements, and breathing techniques simplified to suit younger ages. The classes are dynamic and engaging, often incorporating games, music, and stories that capture the children’s imagination. During the practice, the group is encouraged to imitate animals such as cats, snakes, or frogs, which makes the activity fun and interactive. This playful approach allows the children to feel motivated to actively participate, turning yoga into not just a physical activity, but a creative experience.
Yoga helps children develop various physical skills. Through the postures and movements, they improve flexibility, strength, balance, and motor coordination, while also learning to better perceive their own bodies. Since the postures are adapted to their age group, they have fun while acquiring good posture and improving their physical endurance. Moreover, the practice contributes to overall health, offering an excellent way to promote motor and body development gently and without pressure.
One of the great advantages of yoga for children is the impact it has on their ability to concentrate. While very young children often have a more scattered attention, yoga classes encourage them to focus on the present moment. By following the postures and performing breathing exercises, children begin to train their concentration skills in a fun and accessible way. Over time, many begin to show more interest in paying attention to activities, not only during yoga, but also in other areas of their lives.
Yoga also plays an important role in the emotional development of children. Breathing practice, for example, is a powerful tool to help children manage their emotions. They learn to calm themselves when they feel anxious or agitated, using simple breathing techniques that help them regulate their emotional state. Additionally, yoga provides a calm and welcoming environment where children can explore their emotions safely and without pressure. This process of self-regulation contributes to the development of emotional intelligence and empathy, both with themselves and with others.
Another important benefit of yoga in kindergarten is its positive impact on children’s overall well-being. The calm and relaxing environment created during yoga classes helps children unwind, relieving tension and promoting a sense of inner peace. Although the concepts of relaxation may be difficult for very young children to grasp, the effects of yoga are easily visible: children leave the classes calmer, more balanced, and always with a smile on their faces.
In summary, yoga in kindergarten emerges as a powerful tool for children’s growth and well-being, providing them with physical and emotional balance that will have a positive impact on various areas of their lives.
by Vanessa Antunes
