First Program Students Practice Yoga and Mindfulness
Yoga and mindfulness, ancient practices that originated in Asia, are wonderful tools to help children to connect with themselves, others, and the environment around them.
During these challenging times, yoga and mindfulness are tools that First Program students can use to self-soothe and manage anxiety—by connecting to the resources within them (their bodies, their minds, and their hearts) and outside of them (family, friends, community, the earth). Cultivating these resources support social and emotional development and skillful resiliency so children can thrive despite unpredictable circumstances.
Crystal McCreary, one of the MS/HS Health Educators at Dalton, continues to facilitate an ongoing collection of Resources for (Quarantined) Kids online to make an array of online yoga and mindfulness practices available for children ages 4-11 (grades K-5) on YouTube. They can be incorporated into Digital Dalton and families’ daily routines during shelter-in-place and beyond. Yoga offers a playground-like variety of experiences from breathing practices, poses, to meditation, that—when taught in a kid-friendly, relevant and safe way—reinforce developing focused attention, curiosity, respect, and compassion...all key Dalton values.
Story submitted by Health Educator 6-12 Crystal McCreary