Let's Get Flexible: Growing gross-motor control and self-regulation skills
A quick disclaimer: While a lot of poses and stretching techniques are similar to the practice of yoga, this is not a yoga class or description. These are stretches that can be used to provide young children with greater body awareness and techniques to help regulate their mood.
Stretching is not only great for adults, it is also very helpful for little muscles and minds as well. When children are instructed on how to move and stretch their bodies, they gain better body awareness. Stretching and breathing techniques work wonderfully together and promote better self-regulatory skills in young children.
Start by introducing simple body positions that young children can do comfortably and without much struggle. As your child grows in confidence while doing these positions you can then add more.
Use the images represented below as a starting point. As you and your child stretch into these positions, make sure to discuss how your body feels and how it is moving. For example, you could say, "When I reach my hands high over my head, it feels like it is pulling my arms and back." When you finish the pose, you can add, "My body feel nice and relaxed now."
Stretching is not only great for adults, it is also very helpful for little muscles and minds as well. When children are instructed on how to move and stretch their bodies, they gain better body awareness. Stretching and breathing techniques work wonderfully together and promote better self-regulatory skills in young children.
Start by introducing simple body positions that young children can do comfortably and without much struggle. As your child grows in confidence while doing these positions you can then add more.
Use the images represented below as a starting point. As you and your child stretch into these positions, make sure to discuss how your body feels and how it is moving. For example, you could say, "When I reach my hands high over my head, it feels like it is pulling my arms and back." When you finish the pose, you can add, "My body feel nice and relaxed now."