In addition to the stretches given in the sections previously, the following can be used with mobile children who are walking and up to 2/3 years. Depending upon the group, you may be able to introduce some of these towards the end of being with a group of children for a while in yoga class where the younger children are crawling as a ‘taster’ of whats to come when they are fully on their feet.

Stepping Stones

Using yoga blocks, felt squares or cushions to mimic stepping stones in crawling to 2 years classes. These should be laid out about 10 cm apart.  Parents should help toddlers by holding arms or hands behind them to guide them to step block to block/cushion to cushion etc.  Younger toddlers: encourage coordinating one foot in front of other but don’t rush them over.  Older toddlers: the blocks can be used individually for balancing upon or upon the child’s feet whilst they are laid on their back.

Balance Beam

Using the balance beam on top of the mats, parents walk with toddlers with their hands either around their torso, or if they are walking aided, holding their hands and encourage them to ‘tight rope’ walk on the beam, placing one foot in front of the other.

Benefits: Co-ordination and balance, awareness of foot placement for walking.

Block Balancing

This can be done in two ways in older toddler classes. With the toddler upon their backs laid in front of their parent, ask the child to raise their legs with feet together facing the ceiling.  Place a yoga block upon the child’s feet asking them to stay as still as a tree, count for 3-5 seconds letting the block sit upon the feet.  This can be done with the child sitting spine to parents chest or child and parent facing and balance the block upon the parent and the child’s head again balancing for 3-5 seconds.  In older toddler classes ‘tree, stork, superman’ can be practiced upon the block and a simple mountain pose whilst the parent supports.  Bean bags can also be used for this.  Encourage toddlers to balance them on their heads and have races with parents.

Pretzels

These are a series of cards which can be used as prompts during the sessions.  Ask the children to pick a card and ask them to copy the pose on the card.  There are a range of poses, some need to be supported by parents and some only for older toddlers.