What to Expect in Children’s Yoga: Birth - Ages 2-4

Before you teach children’s yoga, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the developmental milestones of the age group you are serving. In this series, we explore common developmental milestones and how they guide the content, format, and flow of yoga classes.

Please note: For infants, we recommend parents/caretakers attend classes with their little one, both for safety and practicality. Infants are not technically children yet, but many families with toddlers will also have infants at home, and it is a good practice to be familiar with this age set as you embark on professional practice.

By 2 years of age, a toddler typically:

• Expresses a range of emotions, including: fear, sympathy, guilt, embarrassment

• Whines to ask for something they want or need

• Refuses to follow instructions and/or does the opposite

• Wants everything their way

• Insists on doing many things by themself

• Cries, screams and may use other physicality such as biting, kicking, or scratching when they don’t get their way

• Plays parallel to others, but doesn’t understand the concept of sharing or taking turns

• Tries new things in safe settings with known adults

• Imitates adult actions, such as doing the dishes or driving a car

• Cries, clings, and exhibits distress when loved ones leave

• Uses single words and simple phrases, including “No!” and “Mine!”

By 3 years of age, a toddler typically:

• Changes mood quickly

• Relies on predictable routine and exhibits distress when routine is changed

• Shows concern and affection for others

• Enjoys pretend play, while also exhibiting high levels of literalism

• Briefly plays with other children and begins to take turns

• Understands the concept of property — mine, yours, theirs

• Makes simple choices, such as juice or milk

• Separates from bonded adults more easily

• Knows and can name their name, gender, and age

• Answers “who,” “what,” and “where” questions

• Speaks in complete, simple sentences, such as “I want to go outside.”

By 4 years of age, a toddler typically:

• Expresses, in both affect and words, emotions and opinions

• Demonstrates guilt and regret about poor choices

• May begin to self-regulate high emotions

• Challenges what you say

• Understands the concept of danger and things that are dangerous

• Make comparisons along size, age, capability, and more

• Enjoys imaginative play

• Demonstrates attachment to routines and the “right way” to do things

• Plays more cooperatively and for longer stretches with other children

• Asks for help

How to encourage developmental progress in your yoga classes:

• Bring a visual schedule with images of each part of class. Refer to it throughout class, noting when each part begins and ends. If the schedule is tactile (i.e. velcro parts or magnetic) invite kids to “build” it with you as you move through class.

• If you have rules for class, bring a rules visual and refer to it whenever necessary — remember that 2-year-olds often forget the rules, 3-year-olds like to test them, and 4-year-olds may bring their own agendas!

• Keep the format of class consistent and practice opening and closing rituals that are predictable.

• Read a wide range of books and encourage comprehension beyond the central storyline. For instance:

  • Help students notice the setting, characters, and emotions displayed in a storybook. Notice that people are the same and different, and that it is okay!

  • Practice “reading” without knowing the words by explaining the “story” of the emotions illustrated in the characters’ bodies and faces.

• Encourage intrinsic and extrinsic embodied learning. For example:

  • Bring child-safe plastic mirrors to class and explore making a range of facial expressions.

  • Encourage and allow the expression of emotions. Teach emotional literacy by helping kids decode and express them appropriately. Instead of bring critical of students and their emotions, validate how they feel, remind them of the standard/rule and offer them healthy forms of expression:

    • I.e. When a student is screaming and kicking: “I understand that you feel angry. We don’t hurt people, though. Go ahead and squeeze this yoga block as hard as you can until you feel better.”

  • When a student is upset, notice and name without judgment: “Your hands are balled up and your eyebrows are scrunched. I bet you feel angry. Is that right?”

  • Practice modeling emotions with “happy dances” and “mad dances” — this exploration of emotions can be extended to coloring, use of vocal expressions, and more.

• Play games with simple, two-step directions (scaffold up for 3- and 4-year-olds)

• Invite students to contribute to classroom tasks, such as rolling mats or stacking up blocks

• Play games that encourage brief sharing (i.e. your favorite animal) and taking turns

• Notice, name, and praise the positive behaviors you see in class — and if parents/caretakers are present, encourage healthy touch such as hugs, snuggles, and squeezes.

Suggested class duration and flow:

• Classes should be about 30 minutes or fewer

• Class should have a soft format guided by rituals, for example:

  • Opening welcome song (learn more: 10 Early Childhood Skills Learned Through Song) (5 minutes)

  • Short storytime with a simple board book or illustration-centric storybook (5 minutes)

  • Explore manipulatives, toys or instruments (5-10 minutes)

  • Encourage gross motor function with guided movement, or (for toddlers) walking or marching in circles (5-10 minutes)

  • Goodbye song or ritual (5 minutes)

If you have additional questions about developmental stages, please reference our source material.