Yoga is not only for adults but also for toddlers. Toddler-friendly yoga is a fun and gentle way to introduce your little ones to the benefits of yoga, such as flexibility, focus, and emotional well-being. At our Montessori school, we practice yoga with our students to help them develop their physical, mental, and social skills.
If you’re interested in trying some toddler-friendly yoga similar to what we do at our family-oriented preschool, this blog is for you. Here are three simple poses that you and your toddler can do together.
Have fun, and remember to always supervise your toddler and follow their cues!
Cat-Cow Pose
This toddler-friendly yoga pose helps to stretch and strengthen the spine, neck, and shoulders. It also teaches your toddler to coordinate their breath and movement, which is why it’s so popular at our Montessori preschool.
- Start on your hands and knees, with your wrists under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Make sure your back is flat and your head is in line with your spine.
- As you inhale, arch your back, lift your chest and tailbone, and look up. This is the cow pose.
- As you exhale, round your back, tuck your chin and tailbone, and look down. This is the cat pose.
- Repeat this movement a few times, making some animal noises if you like.
Tree Pose
Improve balance, posture, and concentration with this toddler-friendly yoga pose. Our preschool kids love it because it brings a sense of confidence and calm.
- Stand up straight, with your feet together and your arms by your sides. Shift your weight to your right foot and lift your left foot off the ground. Depending on your comfort level, you can place your left foot on your right ankle, calf, or thigh. Avoid putting your foot on your knee, as this can cause injury.
- Bring your hands together in front of your chest, or raise them above your head, like branches. Find a point to focus on and keep your eyes steady. Breathe deeply and smile.
- Hold this pose for a few seconds, then switch sides.
Butterfly Pose
Here’s a toddler-friendly yoga pose that encourages your toddler to explore their body and sensations as it opens the hips, knees, and inner thighs.
- Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together as close to your body as you can. Hold your feet or ankles with your hands.
- Gently flap your knees up and down like butterfly wings. You can also rock your body from side to side or lean forward and backward as long as it feels good.
- At our daycare, we like to sing a song or tell a story about butterflies as little ones hold this pose.
Toddler-friendly yoga is a wonderful way to bond with your child and share some health and happiness. Practicing yoga regularly can help your toddler grow into a strong, balanced, and joyful person.
Enrol at our Montessori preschool, where we not only offer afterschool childcare, daycare, and infant care but also yoga classes for toddlers so they’re at one with their bodies. Learn more about our preschool by contacting us at Centerra Ranch Montessori School in Katy, TX, today.
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