EARLY YEARS LEARNING FRAMEWORK
EYLF Outcome 1 - Children Have a Strong Sense of Identity: The Role of Yoga in Fostering Emotional Regulation and Inner Calm
Yoga offers an invaluable resource for children, particularly in nurturing a robust sense of self-identity, a critical aspect of their early development. This sense of identity is foundational, influencing how children view themselves and their interactions with the world. Through yoga, children access tools that aid not just in physical growth but also significantly in emotional and mental wellbeing.
Emotional Regulation through Yoga
Self-Awareness: Yoga encourages children to engage in introspection, enhancing their awareness of their emotional states. This self-awareness is vital for emotional regulation, enabling children to recognise and comprehend their feelings.
Breathing Techniques: At the heart of yoga's benefit for emotional regulation is breathwork. Techniques like deep abdominal breathing or gentle nostril breathing are straightforward yet effective methods for children to soothe their nervous system. These practices are especially useful in managing emotions such as anxiety, anger, or frustration.
Safe Space for Emotional Expression: Yoga creates a non-judgemental and supportive environment where children can express their emotions freely. This ability to express themselves is integral to developing a strong sense of identity, as it allows children to be authentic and honest about their feelings.
Finding Inner Calm and Balance
Mindfulness Practices: Inherent in yoga is the practice of mindfulness, which teaches children to be present in the moment. This skill helps them to process their experiences more thoughtfully and calmly, leading to better emotional balance.
Consistency and Routine: Regular yoga practice helps children establish a routine that reinforces feelings of security and predictability. This consistency is important in fostering a stable sense of self and a feeling of control over their environment and responses.
Coping Strategies for Stress: Yoga equips children with practical tools to cope with stress and challenging situations. Learning these coping mechanisms at a young age can significantly influence their ability to handle stress as they grow older, contributing to a well-rounded and resilient identity.
EYLF Outcome 2 - Children Are Connected With and Contribute to Their World: Fostering Inclusivity and Participation in Yoga
our approach to yoga is grounded in the belief that it should be a voluntary and inclusive activity for children. This philosophy aligns closely with the goal of helping children feel connected to and able to contribute positively to their world.
Voluntary Participation in Yoga
Empowering Choice: We emphasize that participation in yoga is always a choice. This empowers children to listen to their bodies and feelings, making decisions that are right for them. By doing so, children learn the valuable lesson of autonomy and respecting their own boundaries.
Respecting Individuality: Understanding that each child is unique, we respect their decision to engage in yoga activities for as long or as little as they feel comfortable. This respect for individual preferences teaches children about personal responsibility and self-care.
Encouraging Contribution and Collaboration
Sharing Ideas and Suggestions: We actively encourage children to contribute their ideas and suggestions for our yoga sessions. This may include requests for specific poses, games, or music. By inviting their input, we foster a sense of ownership and engagement in the children.
Learning Compromise and Consideration: While we strive to accommodate individual ideas, we also encourage children to consider the needs and interests of others. This approach teaches them about compromise and inclusivity, essential skills for creating a fair and welcoming environment for all participants.
Building a Sense of Community: Through this collaborative process, children learn the value of being part of a community. They understand that their contributions can positively impact the group, fostering a sense of connection and belonging.
Reflecting on Impact and Learning
Feedback and Reflection: After each session, we encourage children to reflect on their experiences and share feedback. This practice not only helps in tailoring future sessions to better meet their needs but also enables children to see the direct impact of their contributions.
Developing Social Skills: By engaging with others, sharing, and negotiating, children develop crucial social skills. They learn to communicate effectively, listen to others, and work together towards a common goal.
EYLF Outcome 3 - Children Have a Strong Sense of Wellbeing: The Comprehensive Benefits of Yoga
our approach to yoga is grounded in the belief that it should be a voluntary and inclusive activity for children. This philosophy aligns closely with the goal of helping children feel connected to and able to contribute positively to their world.
Voluntary Participation in Yoga
Empowering Choice: We emphasize that participation in yoga is always a choice. This empowers children to listen to their bodies and feelings, making decisions that are right for them. By doing so, children learn the valuable lesson of autonomy and respecting their own boundaries.
Respecting Individuality: Understanding that each child is unique, we respect their decision to engage in yoga activities for as long or as little as they feel comfortable. This respect for individual preferences teaches children about personal responsibility and self-care.
Encouraging Contribution and Collaboration
Sharing Ideas and Suggestions: We actively encourage children to contribute their ideas and suggestions for our yoga sessions. This may include requests for specific poses, games, or music. By inviting their input, we foster a sense of ownership and engagement in the children.
Learning Compromise and Consideration: While we strive to accommodate individual ideas, we also encourage children to consider the needs and interests of others. This approach teaches them about compromise and inclusivity, essential skills for creating a fair and welcoming environment for all participants.
Building a Sense of Community: Through this collaborative process, children learn the value of being part of a community. They understand that their contributions can positively impact the group, fostering a sense of connection and belonging.
Reflecting on Impact and Learning
Feedback and Reflection: After each session, we encourage children to reflect on their experiences and share feedback. This practice not only helps in tailoring future sessions to better meet their needs but also enables children to see the direct impact of their contributions.
Developing Social Skills: By engaging with others, sharing, and negotiating, children develop crucial social skills. They learn to communicate effectively, listen to others, and work together towards a common goal.
EYLF Outcome 4 - Children Are Confident and Involved Learners: The Educational Value of Yoga
in our approach to yoga, we recognize its unique potential to ignite curiosity and foster a love of learning in children. Yoga, with its playful and imaginative poses, can be a gateway to new interests and explorations, contributing significantly to a child's journey as a confident and involved learner.
Yoga Poses as Learning Tools
Familiar Objects and Animals in Poses: Many yoga poses are named after familiar objects or animals, like the "aeroplane" (Deergha Swasam) or "dog" (Adho Mukha Svanasana) pose. These associations can make the poses more relatable and engaging for children.
Sparking Curiosity: The fun and familiarity of these poses can pique children’s interest in related topics. For instance, a child fond of the "dog" pose might develop a keen interest in learning about different animals, their behaviors, and habitats.
Encouraging Exploration: Similarly, poses like the "aeroplane" can inspire children to learn more about transportation, aerodynamics, or geography. This exploration can extend beyond the yoga session into their play and learning activities.
Integrating Yoga with Education
Cross-Curricular Connections: Yoga can be seamlessly integrated with various educational themes, making learning holistic and multidimensional. For example, a yoga session focused on nature-themed poses can complement lessons in environmental science or biology.
Enhancing Learning through Movement: Incorporating physical movement, such as yoga, into learning helps to solidify concepts in children’s minds. Kinesthetic learning, or learning through physical activity, is known to enhance memory and understanding.
Building Confidence and Involvement
Encouraging Self-Expression: Yoga allows children to express themselves through movement. This expression is vital for building self-confidence and a sense of individuality.
Active Participation: By engaging in yoga, children become active participants in their learning process. They learn to ask questions, make connections, and explore concepts in a way that resonates with them.
Yoga as a Path to Lifelong Learning
Fostering a Love for Learning: By linking yoga to their interests and curiosity, we can help children develop a lifelong love for learning. Yoga becomes more than just physical exercise; it becomes a journey of discovery and joy.
Developing Inquisitive Minds: The practice of yoga, with its emphasis on mindfulness and awareness, also encourages children to be observant and inquisitive, key traits of involved learners.
EYLF Outcome 5 - Children Are Effective Communicators: Enhancing Communication Skills through Yoga
we understand the vital role yoga plays in enhancing communication skills among children. Our yoga classes are structured not only to promote physical well-being but also to foster effective communication, a key component in a child's overall development.
Listening and Understanding in Yoga Classes
Active Listening: We encourage children in our yoga classes to practice active listening. This involves paying close attention to the instructions provided by educators and peers, especially when determining which poses to practice.
Following Instructions: Whether the instructions are straightforward or part of a storytelling narrative, children learn to focus and understand the details. This practice improves their ability to listen, process information, and follow directions accurately.
Storytelling in Yoga: Many yoga sessions incorporate storytelling, where poses are woven into narratives. Listening to these stories requires children to pay close attention to the sequence of poses and the story's flow, enhancing their comprehension and attention to detail.
Developing Respect and Patience
Respecting Guidance: By following the guidance of educators and peers during yoga, children learn the value of respect and cooperation. They understand the importance of listening to others and acknowledging different viewpoints.
Patience in Communication: Yoga teaches children the virtue of patience, not just in holding poses but also in listening to and understanding instructions. This patience is a crucial aspect of effective communication.
Interactive and Collaborative Learning
Encouraging Dialogue: In our classes, children are encouraged to ask questions and express their thoughts about various poses and activities. This open dialogue enhances their verbal communication skills.
Peer Learning: Children often work in pairs or groups during yoga sessions, which requires them to communicate effectively with one another. This peer interaction is an excellent way for children to practice and improve their communication skills.
Enhancing Focus and Concentration
Improving Concentration: The practice of yoga requires a level of concentration and focus. As children learn to concentrate on their poses and breathing, they simultaneously enhance their ability to focus on verbal instructions and communication.
Mindfulness and Awareness: Yoga inherently teaches mindfulness, which helps children become more aware of their thoughts and how they express them. This awareness is key to becoming an effective communicator.