Storytime Yoga with Children

Hey parents,

Imagine a serene moment in nature where you and your child immerse in the magic of a story while flowing through gentle yoga poses together. Storytime yoga isn't just a fun activity—it's a powerful way to bond, enhance your child's development, and nurture a mindful parenting approach.

The Power of Storytime Yoga

Combining storytelling with yoga brings together the best of both worlds. It engages your child’s imagination, encourages physical activity, and enhances emotional intelligence. As you act out scenes from beloved storybooks through yoga poses, your child learns to express themselves, improves their focus, and connects deeper with the stories they love. This fusion of movement and storytelling also helps to instill a love for both reading and physical activity.

Benefits of Storytime Yoga:

1. Enhanced Bonding: Practicing yoga with your child fosters a strong emotional connection. Through shared movements and storytelling, you create lasting memories and strengthen your bond.

   
   

2. Mindful Parenting: Storytime yoga encourages mindfulness—both for you and your child. As you guide them through the poses, you're teaching them to be present, attentive, and aware of their body and emotions. This mindful practice extends beyond yoga, helping you cultivate patience, empathy, and a deeper connection with your child.

   
   

3. Physical and Emotional Growth: Yoga promotes flexibility, strength, and coordination in children. Acting out stories through poses also allows them to explore their emotions in a safe and creative way, enhancing their emotional resilience and self-awareness.

   
   

4. Creativity and Imagination: Storytime yoga fuels your child's imagination, allowing them to explore different characters, emotions, and scenarios. This imaginative play is essential for their cognitive and social development.

   
   

How to Get Started:

1. Find a Flat Spot in Nature: Choose a quiet, flat area in nature—a park, a garden, or even your backyard. Being surrounded by nature enhances the calming and grounding effects of yoga, making it a perfect setting for this activity.

   
   

2. Select a Storybook: Pick a storybook that both you and your child enjoy. Stories with animals, adventures, or nature themes work wonderfully, as they offer various poses to explore. Here's some of our favourites:

   
   

   1. Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5QrYt62iGI

      
      

   2. Goldilocks and the Three Bears

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxd71qzw0UM

      
      

   3. Room on the Broom

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYgML5sIvmY

      
      

   4. The Three Little Pigs

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHm_cU5TvlM

      
      

   5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhWDiQRrC1Y

      
      

   6. We're Going on a Bear Hunt

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OI7fe766nk&t=167s

      
      

3. Act Out Scenes with Yoga Poses: As you read the story, pause to act out scenes using yoga poses. For example, if a character climbs a mountain, you can do a "Mountain Pose." If they meet a lion, you can try a "Lion's Breath" together. Engage your child by asking them to come up with their own poses that represent different parts of the story.

   
   

4. Work in Pairs or Small Groups: Invite another parent and child to join you. Working in pairs or small groups can make the experience even more enriching. Kids can learn from each other, and it adds a social aspect that boosts their communication skills.

   
   

5. End with a Relaxation Pose: Conclude your storytime yoga with a calming pose like "Child's Pose" or "Savasana." Use this time to encourage your child to relax, breathe deeply, and reflect on the story.

Through storytime yoga, you and your child can embark on a mindful journey that nurtures your relationship, fosters emotional growth, and fills your time together with joy and creativity.

Happy storytelling and happy yoga!