10 Steps to Encouraging Kids to Participate in Yoga, School and Life

Photo:
unicef.org.nz

"Education Is Not the Filling of a Pail, But the Lighting of a Fire"  ~W.B.Yeats

Whether you are talking about yoga, recreation, education, parenting or coaching, our most important task is to "light a fire" by engaging our young audience as they learn. If children are engaged, they will participate more, and the more they participate, the more engaged they become. This keeps them motivated to keep learning through every experience, both in and out of the classroom.


Below are 10 factors that I have found to encourage active participation in all types of learning in the classroom and in life. How many are you currently using? How many more can you incorporate?


1- Environment: Think in terms of  whether or not the environment is clean, sensory friendly and welcoming. Outside of physical factors, what makes an environment most relaxing & welcoming is how relaxed and approachable the teacher/coach/parent is. A relaxed child will be more willing- and able- to participate and learn.

2- Senses: Awaken and engage each and every sense. Use music, games, art, colorful posters to encourage integration of the body as well as the brain. We learn through all of our senses and the more you incorporate them into homework, coaching or classrooms the more a child will want to learn.

3- Structure: Have a plan, but structure it loosely to allow room for spontaneous and free exploration of related questions, topics and activities. This adds and brings imagination to the learning experience. When it comes to a home routine, keep tasks & rules consistent and no more in number than the age of the child in years up to a maximum of  7 at a time. (Seven is the maximun number of items or ideas the brain can remember at once.)

4- Visual Presentation: About two thirds of our brain is used for visual processing while only 2% of it is used for conscious and cognitive functions. Traditional classrooms are set up to teach to that 2%. Be sure to use cartoons, photos, drawings, props, felt boards and other visual aides to engage that part of the brain kids use most.

5- Modify & Adapt: There are many ways that children learn. Have as many (physical and educational) supports available for them to use. In yoga this might include straps, bolsters, balls, and in the classroom this might include video, charts or images. If using technical, long or unfamiliar words, explain concepts with simpler ones until understood. Then introduce the technical terms.

6- Keep it Real: This applies more so to yoga teachers than others, but remember to be consistent and use regular everyday voice and language. If you speak using awkward metaphors or alien language, (such as "align with your chakras" or  "shine your head forward" or "feel the happiness in your organs" ) kids will tune you out, not take you seriously and not grasp the concepts you are trying to teach. Speak using as few words as possible, in simple, everyday language & introduce new vocabulary only after the basic concepts are grasped.

7- Participate: Kids are more willing to play or try an activity that the adult facilitator is participating in rather than imposing on them. It fosters a sense of trust. So find your inner child and play with the kids.

8- Feedback: Listen to what the kids say-and don't say. Observe their reactions and interactions. Allow the children to share what their favorite part of a class or activity was- (after sharing their not-so favorite) and suggest other things they might like to do/learn. Find a way to incorporate it into the curriculum.

9- Be a Good Student:  Be open to learning. Let students (individually or in a group) plan lead a class activity. It will give them a greater appreciation for learning, and you just might learn something too!

10- Fun: Remember above all that kids are kids. Not miniature adults. They are rushed through life unnecessarily and need time, patience and fun. Find ways to package what students need to know, into something fun that they will want to know and help light a healthy (educational) fire in each of them!





Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com


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