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September 25, 2015

Unit 2 Infant & Young Toddler Yoga Guide 2015

The Infant and 1YO Yoga Guide for Unit 2 is available at the link below:

Infant & 1YO Yoga Guide – Unit 2

Why Yoga?yoga

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The National Association of the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) recommendthat children should participate in activities that support the development of the whole child. Yoga is a safe and fun activity that helps children grow flexible and strong in body and mind. This daily doodle activity complements our busy days, providing a time for gathering in a quiet, relaxing way.

Curriculum Expectations

  • It is expected that yoga be a part of each and every doodle day. Older infants and 1YOs will need less direct guidance than friends who are non-mobile. You will find at first that they will simply observe you demonstrating the movements, but will soon begin to copy your movements. Younger infants will need gentle one-on-one guidance that is also respectful of their developmental abilities. A child who is not yet able to hold their head up, for example, will be best engaged in gentle leg and arm movements while on their back.
  • The poses and links included in each unit guide will help you in planning and leading yoga as opportunities arise throughout your day. For 1YOs, yoga is especially helpful to children as they wind down for rest. Keep in mind that a child’s attention span is typically very brief, less than five minutes, and based on how the child engages with you when you invite them to join you.

– Remember that yoga doesn’t have to be a stand-alone event – make connections to learning wherever possible! Yoga can be an extension of a read-aloud, a way to ease into a gross motor activity, an outdoor creative movement activity on a blanket, or a great way to wind down before resting.