Yoga and Relaxation in an Early Childhood Setting Madeline Ensign Michigan State University CEP 883

Importance of Classroom Management in Early Childhood Environments “Effective teaching and learning cannot happen in a poorly managed classroom.” Little ones need structure, “err on the side of too highly structured.” Structured environment helps to make children feel safe, secure, and cared for.

My Classroom Community GSRP Pre-Kindergarten Classroom in Detroit 15 children, 2 teachers All of my students are considered “high-risk” All below the poverty line Many struggle with meeting their basic needs outside of school

Behavior Problems in Early Childhood Aggressive Behavior Short Attention Spans Defiance Lying

Behavior Management Strategies Conflict Resolution – Six Steps Classroom Discussions Classroom Rules One on One Supports Classroom Modifications and Supports Time Aways or Breaks

The Disconnect Sometimes our strategies are not perfect and do not stop the behavior we are aiming to stop. Some of the parents use different behavior management techniques and there is a lack on consistency. There are unstable home environments.

Bringing in a New Strategy Yoga was the perfect fit. Yoga has the possibility to touch on all areas of development. Sometimes strategies can get pricy. Yoga is a low cost initiative and provides life skills.

The Benefits of Yoga Improves flexibility, builds strength, improves posture, improves bone health, boosts immunity, lowers blood pressure, lowers blood sugar, improves focus and balance, helps sleep cycles, boosts immune system, improves lung capacity, increases self esteem, eases pain, and many more. http://www.yogajournal.com/article/health/count-yoga-38-ways-yoga-keeps-fit/

Why Kids and Yoga are a Good Fit Teaches children about their bodies. Teaches children how to breathe. Teaches children how to quiet the mind. Teaches children about balance. Teaches children about a healthy lifestyle. Motor skill improvements for children

Areas of Development for Preschool Children Social Emotional Cognitive Language Physical Fine Motor Gross Motor Our goals for our preschoolers. Things that we look at.

Yoga in a Preschool Setting Specific yoga cards for preschool children. Allows them to explore. Build body awareness. Fun and relaxing. Not forcing anyone to do it. Modifying the poses to make it accessible to everyone.

Yoga as a Motivator Yoga is an excellent intrinsic motivator. Helps children feel proud and accomplished after completing a pose or breath. Helps calm children and reduce stress. When they are less stressed, it is easier to learn.

Integrating Literacy and Cognitive through Yoga Using yoga during story time can be beneficial. The children can participate by using their imaginations and acting out the characters in the story through yoga. Yoga can be used for cognitive skills while counting while in the poses.

Promoting Social Awareness Through Yoga Partner Yoga Using deep breathing while resolving conflicts with friends. Yoga can be taught to others. Children can teach other children how to do yoga by effectively communicating together. Yoga can help build relationships between children, children and teachers, children and parents, and parents and teachers.

Using Strategies During Different Parts of the Day Using yoga outside. Yoga can be used during large group. Using yoga and deep breathing before nap. Yoga can be used during transition times.

Yoga for High Risk Populations “He told me, ‘Increasing self-control on our streets is literally a matter of life and death.’” “We spend a lot of time and resources on the external environment, when there is a significant imbalance in the internal environment,” BK noted. “In schools where we offer TLS, teachers are saying the tenor of their classes is changing. A little bit of this practice makes teaching more effective.”

Using Yoga as a Management Strategy Yoga promotes effective breathing. Once children are able to take a breath and pause for a moment, they are better able to deal with a situation. Many articles stated that after yoga was implemented the environment of the classrooms and school had changed and become calming and more peaceful. Yoga gives children effective life skills.

Benefits of Yoga in the Classroom for Teachers Yoga promotes effective breathing skills for teachers as well. Yoga helps teachers to take a breath, pause, and then effectively deal with a situation. Yoga reduces stress.

The Possible Problems with Yoga Some children do not like it or have the attention span for it. That is when we try to make it fun and engaging. Some children struggling with poses. This can be combated by modifying the poses. We have got to start somewhere. Not all parents may want their children to participate.

Conclusion Yoga is an effective management strategy. Yoga reduces stress and has many health benefits for children and teachers. It encourages a healthy lifestyle. Yoga can build and foster relationships. Yoga can teach life skills and is beneficial to children in high risk environments.

Sources 38 Health Benefits of Yoga | Yoga Benefits. (2007, August 28). Retrieved July 20, 2015. Ensher, G., & Clark, D. (2009). Families, infants, & young children at risk: Pathways to best practice. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Jones, V., & Jones, L. (1986). Comprehensive classroom management: Creating positive learning environments (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. School Adopts Yoga for Wellness, Behavior Management. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2015.

Sources Continued Sprick, R. (2010). CHAMPS a proactive & positive approach to classroom management : DVD inservice series (2nd ed.). Eugene, OR: Pacific Northwest Pub. Weinstein, C., & Mignano, A. (1997). Elementary classroom management: Lessons from research and practice (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Yoga Program for At-Risk Youth Transforms Mind and Body - New America Media. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015.