Using Yoga to Prepare for Kindergarten

Today, preschoolers' lives are fast paced. Preschoolers transition from home to child care to soccer practice and back home again on any given week day. Loud televisions and hurried parents only add to this fast pace. Adult practitioners of yoga have long touted its benefits. These benefits extend to preschoolers preparing to enter kindergarten.

What is Yoga?
Yoga is a system of physical stretches and mental practices that originated in India several thousand years ago. Yoga involves stretching and holding a series of poses. However, yoga is more than just an exercise regimen. Yoga involves self-awareness, concentration and flexibility.

Children practice yoga different than adults. Yoga engages children by using a combination of games, music and language. The challenge of yoga with children is keeping their attention focused on the activity. By using music and language, in addition to making a game of stretching and posing, yoga holds children's attention.

How Does Yoga Benefit the Preschooler?
Yoga benefits preschooler's bodies and cognitive abilities.

Physical Benefits
Yoga increases muscle tone and helps a preschooler develop coordination. Yoga introduces the concept of body awareness and builds the ability to control breathing and muscle tension. Practicing yoga improves balance and may help establish hand dominance (right-handedness or left-handedness.)

Cognitive Benefits
Yoga allows a preschooler to develop spatial awareness and teaches concepts of "right" and "left." While practicing yoga, a preschooler builds listening skills and his ability to follow instructions. If presented in an age appropriate manner, yoga builds vocabulary and facilitates the ability to participate in pretend play. The time spent practicing yoga can be combined with activities which give opportunities to build cognitive skills.

How can I introduce yoga to my preschooler?
Take a yoga class and learn a few basic poses. Many community organizations offer child focused yoga classes. These classes introduce yoga concepts in an age appropriate way. If your community does not offer classes, locate a DVD or video to help learn yoga moves. Read a PreschoolRock Review of YogaKids ABC Video here to learn more about children's yoga programs on video. 

A preschooler preparing for kindergarten must develop gross motor skills, numeric concepts, pre-reading skills, as well as self-help skills such as following directions. Consistent practice of yoga in an age appropriate manner provides many opportunities to develop these skills. Try some yoga while getting ready for kindergarten, it may just help you to relax and enjoy the transition.