Want to engage your toddler group? Keep them focused and flowing for longer? Break up your class structure! Add in transitions, change up the style, and keep it moving! These are some best practices that I have experimented and adapted for best results:
Yoga Freeze Dance
At this age children can’t be expected to remember specific poses. Begin by playing some music for free movement expression, after a minute or two pause the song and demonstrate the pose you would like them to copy (mountain, star, tabletop). Be PATIENT. The children will not transition as quickly as you: give them time to realize the song has paused and give them time to copy your pose. Once most (if not all) children are in the pose, begin playing music for free movement expression again. REPEAT.
Optimal Engagement will last anywhere from 5- 7 minutes depending on the majority age of the class.
Songs and Rhymes
5 and unders are easily engaged with rhymes and songs. It is a wonderful way for them to process, learn, retain, and recall. Using some familiar songs will promote participation and encourage memorization. Some rhymes I find particularly easy to incorporate:
Old MacDonald Had A Farm- pick an animal, perform the pose, sing the song
London Bridge- Get into bridge pose, alternate lifting legs while singing the song, allow the children to tumble down and rest
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star- Alternate between star pose and crescent pose, maybe add a little shimmering in there too!!
Picture to Pose
This works like flashcards: Have a handful of images (that you can turn into poses I.e. flower, chair, moon, etc.) to show the children. Allow them to name the image, tell you its color, multiple names (ie coat or jacket), the name in a different language, etc. Guide engagement with each image and give them time to incorporate any new words and the image into their word bank. Then practice the pose associated with the image. You can use words built around a theme or a letter.