Every morning we prepare for our work time with a brief yoga session. Some are surprised that these active, wiggly, questioning 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds can sit for a few minutes of quiet breathing, movement and stretching. But clearly these kiddos themselves understand the rewards because they ask for it daily!
After our early morning time on the playground—which is longer in these summer months since we are less likely to head outside in the afternoon heat—it is so helpful to sit and breathe for a few minutes. The goal is to slow down the pulse, breath and mind in preparation for our worktime. Beginning the Montessori worktime in the right frame of mind helps the child to choose the material that is right for them in the moment.
What is yoga for a young child? We are seated in a circle for the entire 5 or 10 minutes. Often yoga starts with simple toe movements–left, right, up, pointed. We may breathe in with arms raised, breathe out to touch toes or the floor. We practice belly breathing, and stretching to the sky. Often the movements are cross-meridian, which is important for developing the neural connections for writing and reading. Cross-meridian exercises are important for a growing brain. Touching, say, your left big toe with your right hand is more than just developing the physical coordination–it is a similar neural task as moving your eyes to the left side of the page or book.
We’re not biologists, but our daily observations show us that yoga is a valuable activity for our students in so many ways.
