Yoga and Creative Play for Kids
“The game is called ‘Three Bags of Trash.’ And you are the Evil Trash Bag Monster.” “Would you like to visit our Bug Sanctuary?” “We are playing ‘Zombie Doctor’” “Can we play that ticket game again?” These are just a few of the creative games that the children like to play each afternoon on the playground. I have no idea how these games go, or what the rules are, but they do.
When I stop and ask them what they are playing, they get quite and don’t speak.
If I go to the area where they are playing and listen in, they get so self-conscious and say, “Why are you over here?” “Will you please leave.”
It’s secret language that only the players understand. Their own imaginative world. They don’t want to explain it to adults. As if we would understand anyway…
Research shows that children need large amounts of uninterrupted creative play time without adult interference. It is vital to their social, emotional, and creative development. High-quality pretend play leads to high cognitive abilities and abstract thinking skills. It also allows for children to learn perspective taking skills.
In this imaginary world, children learn about themselves, process feelings and emotions, and work through scary life events. Learn more here
Creative Play is any type of play that taps into a child’s imagination and freedom of expression. Some examples are:
Pretend Play
Arts & Crafts
Costume Play
Yoga
Pretend play is when children act out scenarios or tell stories with each other.
“Pretend I have crystal powers, and I turned the floor to a rainbow.”
The children really get into character. At times a child is so much in character that they are out of their own world and completely in the creative world of the imaginary game.
HOW ARE CREATIVE YOGA AND CREATIVE PLAY ALIKE?
Creative Yoga Poses allow children to be creative and imaginative with their body. Thinking of something like an animal, and how to make that shape with their own body’s not only increases body awareness, but it also brings the creativity from within. It’s another type of intelligence.
And guess what?
You don’t have to know yoga poses or be a yoga teacher to teach yoga to kids.
Most of the kid’s yoga lesson plans that I have created include a creative yoga element that allows children to create their own yoga poses. All the teacher/leader needs to do is guide them through this process. Giving over control of the class to the children and letting them take charge of their own practice is teaching yoga.
It taps into their imagination and creative expression
It makes them more aware of the world around them
It gives them more control over their thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
Children’s yoga is beneficial and allows for self-guided creativity.
Over the years of teaching yoga to children, and during the many kids yoga summer camps, I tried to plan everything. My intention was to pack the schedule so the kids wouldn’t get bored. Wrong.
The children that came to the yoga summer camps, participated in the yoga class, but really looked forward to the free time outside. When they could choose arts and crafts, playing with their friends, or climbing a tree. When can we go outside and play?
As a children’s yoga teacher, I have found the importance of giving over the lead of the class to the students. Allow for the creativity to come from the children, not always a teacher led activity. Let the children lead and get creative with the poses, games, flow. This is yoga.
Other Resources:
https://www.thelittlegym.com/blog/2017/9/the-importance-of-creative-play-for-kids/
https://leftbraincraftbrain.com/pretend-play-benefits-research/
Ms. Brandon, RCYT, RYT500, holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Western Carolina University, is a highly qualified educator, and has 20 years' experience working with children and children with special needs.
