Kids yoga is a great way to teach kids the importance of mindfulness, breathing, and physical fitness. But getting the right class for your kid can be tough. What should you look for?
If you're looking for the right yoga class for your kid, here are five questions to ask before deciding:
What's your experience in teaching children?
You need to be sure the instructor has experience working with kids. You don't want to have to worry about your child's safety.
What's your philosophy of how children learn?
You don't want to work with someone who thinks they know everything about teaching yoga, but really has no idea what works for little ones. Look for an instructor that understands the value of encouraging creativity and letting kids lead their own practice.
Do they have any qualifications or training in kids' yoga and education?
Knowing yoga poses is one thing and knowing how to teach them, especially to kids, is another. Make sure the instructor has some kind of qualification or training in this area.
Do they have a good understanding of how to work with different age groups?
Not all kids are the same and an experienced instructor will know how to adapt their class according to the age group attending. They'll also be aware of any health concerns that could crop up with different age groups.
How many students typically attend each class and what ages range do they cover?
Children need to socialize and they need to feel safe and secure in a group. Make sure the instructor has enough space for everyone and that there will be other kids of similar ages attending with your child.
What's your class schedule?
Some days are better than others either because you don't have time or it's just not convenient, so make sure the instructor has a variety of class times and days. You don't want to have to miss out on the chance to do yoga because the one time your instructor offers a class is during nap time.
Will the teacher use games or activities to engage kids in learning poses and stretches?
This is important because it can keep kids interested and help them learn the poses. A good instructor will have a variety of games and activities to keep things fun and interesting.
Do they offer after-class programs like parent/teacher night out or private lessons with other teachers on staff (in case parents want to switch up their child's routine)?
This is another important question to ask because you may want to stick with the class but occasionally need a break. Being able to have an after-class program like this is really helpful.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right yoga class for your kid is important as it can help teach them the importance of mindfulness, breathing, and physical fitness. By asking the right questions, you can be sure that you're picking an instructor who has experience in working with kids and understands how to adapt their class to different age groups.
