Childcare Australasia
November, 2007

Creating Calm Playrooms
by Lorna Gloria

    Childcare centres and preschools are becoming places of peace and relaxation with massage and yoga calming classroom behavior and proving popular among children's services.
    Yoga is the new buzz in childcare and can help children develop strength, flexibility and body awareness.
    Sydney-based children's yoga school, Magic Monkey Yoga Kids, can come directly to your childcare centre, kindergarten or vacation care facility to deliver its developmentally appropriate yoga program.
    A combination of creative movement and yoga, the classes include themes such as 'going to the zoo,' 'outer space,' or singing, music and play. "Many of the yoga poses come from nature, such as downward dog, cobra, cat and tree, so it is easy to get children to explore yoga, as they imitate and embody each pose," Magic Monkey Yoga Kids founder Kim McCormick said.
    The relaxation practices can also be used by teachers during rest time to help settle children for sleep and rest, she said.
    Taught as a group activity, yoga is an alternative to other physical activities offered to children. "It is a non-competitive physical activity children can participate in, allowing for all body types and physical abilities. Children do not have to be flexible to practice yoga."
    Yoga poses can also become a major tool in controlling behaviour, according to Yogakids childcare teacher Justine Turner, who runs workshops at childcare centres across Sydney.
    "It is extremely beneficial in helping children become more focused and calm as well as helping children to better cope with stress," she said, adding that these are skills that can benefit children beyond the preschool years.
Yoga is imaginative and interactive
     "Most children are eager to participate in yoga activities," Ms McCormick said, pointing out that classes should always include lots of singing, music, toys and props as well as yoga games.
    Yoga can be practiced any time of day although it is recommended to wait at least two hours after having eaten a heavy meal, she said.
    "In a childcare setting, morning is preferable, only due to the children's energy levels and attention span."
     Ms McCormick has received positive feedback from teachers saying that it helps calm children, ensuring they are much more relaxed throughout the day."Parents comment on how their children are always doing yoga poses at home," she said.
    Ms Turner said she enjoys running classes at around 10:30am as most children have arrived by then. "Early in the morning is also an ideal time
as the children are fresh and energised," she said.
    She also recommends parents customise a yoga routine for children before bed as there are many poses that can help children sleep
better.
    "Children love the yoga classes … they always have so much energy and [it is an] opportunity to be physical and use their imaginations inside the classroom," she said.
    Yoga is also an opportunity for role-play and self-expression, according to founder of Melbourne-based Yogamites, Lisa Price. As well as empowering children to build a strong sense of self, they learn valuable skills to help them handle their emotions and feelings.
    "Children learn about the different energies in their body and how to harness and change them. "They may use deep breathing if feeling
distressed or let off some steam from 'their volcano' (a Yogamites technique) if they have any built up frustration," Ms Price said.
    Yogamites classes involve breathing, using voice and sounds for calming, visualisations and creative movement, along with traditional
yoga poses.
Harnessing emotions and energy
    Yogamites offers classes and incursions for kindergartens and centres across greater Melbourne. Visits can be themed and customised to suit a centre's curriculum or a
special occasion. Examples include 'dancing with the sun', 'walking through the jungle', 'the Australian wild' or 'dinosaurs and ants'.
Training teachers with workshops
    Magic Monkey Yoga Kids offers training workshops for teachers and childcare staff on how to present and adapt traditional yoga for children. With plenty of practical demonstrations, training covers all aspects of yoga including the poses, breathing and relaxation techniques as well as structuring a class. "Participants gain skills, ideas and inspirations to share yoga with the children in their care," Ms McCormick said.
    The workshops run over a weekend every few months and are often held at a yoga studio. However, she points out that the workshop is not a qualification to become a yoga teacher; formal yoga training is required
for that. On completion participants can share simple yoga stretches and other basic yoga practices with children.
    However, where possible Ms McCormick recommends childcare centres employ a qualified yoga teacher externally to deliver a yoga program.
"The emphasis on children's yoga is developing a very gentle and simple practice. When practiced like this the risks are very minimal. It is then no different to any other physical activity the children partake in."
    Ms McCormick has also produced a CD entitled 'Bliss' featuring a collection of guided relaxation practices for children - ideal for use
during rest time.
    Yogamites also offers a staff training program to teach carers techniques that can be used in their rooms throughout the day.
Training typically begins with a two to three hour session and can be built upon.
 Ms McCormick also recommends using picture books to introduce yoga poses or concepts as a way of bringing yoga into story time. "We have found that picture books with large, clear illustrations can prompt some
fantastic mimicking, particularly those that display nature and animals."
(Think The Very Hungry Caterpillar and From Head to Toe by Eric Cale or The Waterhole by Graeme Base).
    Ms McCormick will also be launching Yogamites DVD, 'Dancing with the Sun', for childcare centres this November.