Weekend Activity for Special Needs Preschooler – Yoga

Yoga does wonders for mind and body, no matter what the age. It’s never too early to start this practice!

Doing yoga with your preschooler will help develop their flexibility, strength, coordination, body awareness, concentration, and a sense of calmness.

This is especially beneficial for preschoolers with special needs, who can learn to self-regulate and self-soothe using movement and breath to calm themselves.  

Head over to namastekid.com for tons of simple yoga poses for kids. Here are some of our favorites:

Ballon Breath

• Sit on your chair, yoga mat, or floor. If you are able to, cross your legs.
• Place your hands on your belly, with your fingertips forming a circle.
• As you breathe in, try to make your belly bigger, like a balloon blowing up.
• When you breathe out, let your belly get smaller.
• Repeat and relax.

Butterfly Pose

• Sit on your mat with your legs crossed. Gently press your palms together and straighten your back.
• Bring the bottoms of your feet to touch, and your fingers up to your head.
• Gently bounce your knees to flap your butterfly wings, and move your fingers to wiggle your butterfly antennae.
• Slowly lower your hands to your lap.

Frog Pose

• Step your feet apart.
• Bend your knees and place your hands on the floor between your feet.
• Keep your hands on the floor and straighten your legs.
• Return to squatting position.

Try yoga with your preschooler this weekend, and let us know how it goes!

Sources: Friendshipcircle.org, namastekid.com, yogajournal.com