Don't Fear the Preschoolers!

I have been teaching yoga to kids way back since I was a first grade teacher at PS 288 in Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY. That was from 1998-2003! Wow, 17 years ago! I loved doing yoga with my students but I was ready to move on. After 5 years of teaching for the NYC PS system, I realized teaching yoga to kids was what I wanted to do exclusively. I got my first certifications with Radiant Child and Next Generation Yoga and I was off to SF to share my new knowledge!

In the years following, I found my niche. This is the population I feel the most comfortable teaching and the age that I just connect with. Preschoolers have become my favorite! I have perfected the art of getting them to listen, follow along, stay on their mat, be completely engaged and then relax on their mats as still as can be. I can't even tell you how many teachers have been amazed at how I got their wiggly preschoolers to lay still, peaceful and relaxed. I hear at least once a week "how did you do that!?"

It takes a lot of practice and patience, but here are a few tips to successfully teach preschoolers yoga:

1) Give them their own space, whether it is a yoga mat, carpet square or placeholder of your choice. 

2) Stick to the exact same routine from the way they walk into the room, to taking off their shoes to finding their space. I also tend to do the same warmup and relaxation routine EVERY TIME. If I don't, they tell me I forgot "xyz." Preschoolers LOVE to be consistent and they thrive on routines. 

3) Engage them from the minute they sit on the mat. From a singing name game, to using a breathing ball, find that little something that draws them in instantly!

4) Keep them moving! If you stop, you may lose them. I work hard to keep them engaged the whole time. It pays off.

5) Storytelling is a must. Preschoolers are way into imaginative play- they LOVE to go on trips, make food, pretend to be everything from a rocket ship blasting off into space to frogs hopping on lily pads. I pretty much have turned every pose into a mini story.

6) Show interest in them. They want to tell you everything they are thinking - at that moment! I have found that saying "I really want to know about _____, can you remember to tell me after yoga?" gives them the validation they need that you are interested in them, but keeps the class flowing. Kids want to be heard! Most of the time, they forget what was so important in that moment anyway. 

7) Use props. Kids LOVE props. Make sure that you establish rules for the props and take them away when you are done, but props add that special something to your class. 

8) Be Patient. Do I need to elaborate?

9) Have Fun! This age is so cute and sweet and fun. Just play along with them, allowing for imperfections and silliness and you will not believe that this is what you do everyday for your job!