Benefits: Flexibility of the spine, tones the muscles of the abdomen, good for the vestibular system (balance and movement) and good for body awareness.

Caution: As with all yoga, apply a little pressure but never force and if baby resists then leave it until they are ready. All of the tummy exercises should have a cushion below the child’s head position, for safety. Do not do back stretches on a child with a known back or spinal problem unless they have been given the approval of a medical practitioner.

Counter pose – After back stretches you should lie the toddler on their side with their knees bent or alternatively lie them on their back and cradle them with one hand at the back of the thigh and the other hand on their upper back and curl them up slightly gently rocking.

Cobra

A lovely stretch for the spine, with the toddler on their tummy this can be done in a circle which insinuates a snake pit.  Encourage the parents.  Hands are positioned either side of the chest so that the child can push up lifting their head and chest from the floor hips stay close to the floor.  A game can be played where the children count to 3 patting their hands on the floor and then after three they raise into cobra pose hissing as they do.  Repeat a few times.

Pencils

Toddler on their tummy, let them stretch out their arms and their legs as far as they can stretch, lengthening out the body from toes through to the fingertips.  This can be included in warm up or cool down.

Bendy Pencils

As above but encourage the toddler to lift up their arms and legs so that just their tummy is on the floor.  This is a stretch for older toddlers but can be done from an earlier age asking them to lift the arms or the legs separately can help.  Parents may need to help.

Bendy Bow

Following from the bendy pencil, encourage the toddler to reach their arms behind to try and hold their feet.  Bring their legs up so their feet are towards their bum, hands and feet to meet so the toddler can hold their feet and assume a bow shape.

Plank

Let the toddler come to lie on their tummy. Slide your hands under their chest then gently lifting the toddler leaving their hands on the cushion. Feeling them push against the floor taking their own weight, you can move your hands down to their hips. Hold for about 6-8 seconds. Ensure the plank stretch is done by the toddler when they are positioned above a cushion.