Toddler yoga: Program teaching children how to regulate their emotions from a young age

Children as young as two are learning mindfulness and how to regulate their own emotions all through the simple practice of yoga.

Kids between two to four are doing downward dog, hitting tree poses, and even meditating at a free YogaZoo program at the Floreat Forum every week.

For the children it’s a bit of fun with friends but for their parents learning yoga has made noticeable differences in their child’s behaviour.

Four-year-old Maeve Shurman has been doing yoga since she was two, which her mum Elizabeth Shurman said had taught her to regulate her emotions.

“This is just connecting them with their emotions and the opportunity to take a breath and stop and think about their body as well as their breathing,” she said.

“Yoga is good because when they’re little they react pretty quickly to things so learning from a young age how to actually respond to situations is great.

“Maeve has also learnt the importance of being able to take care of her body and be healthy from a young age.”

Three-year-old George Bootle’s mum Danielle held a similar sentiment.

“He pays a lot more attention now and follows along to instructions,” she said.

Yoga instructor Brooke Hunter said the classes were all about teaching mindfulness while also having fun.

“It is exercise but really it’s about focusing on being calm and mindful and being in the moment,” she said.

“These two to three-year-olds are able to actually lay down for a good five minutes at the end of class and really calm out.”