Yoga and Gross Motor in Early Childhood

The students are having a lot of fun working on the EC porch.  Moving through various stations we practice crawling, balancing, climbing, rolling, and spinning. Walking the balance beam is one their favorite activities. 
 

Beam exercises are great for children, strengthening core and leg muscles while also developing a stronger sense of balance and agility. Also very popular is the "spinning chair," a small legless seat that requires the activation of legs, feet, and core in order to send their bodies spinning! I only wish we had a larger one! 

Before returning to class we strengthen and stretch our bodies by practicing yoga. Children easily assume the role of animals, trees, flowers, and warriors, standing strong like the tree, hissing like the cobra, and stretching long like the dog.

Yoga and gross motor practice help to strengthen the powers of concentration and attention. Self-esteem and self-acceptance are bolstered as children gain control over their bodies and minds. Physical competence is fundamental to cognitive development during early childhood. Maria Montessori stated that, for learning to reach its full potential, it must be directly connected to physical movement for the young child. This unity of mental and physical activity is at the heart of the Montessori method of education.