adjustments for teaching yoga to children with special needs.

Adjustments for Children with Special Needs

Plan a class as you would for a typically developing child, however be ready to be flexible.  Children may want to focus first on what they have done before, practised or feel confident in and what they felt was the most fun!

Adapt the pace to suit the child’s needs, temperament and age.  Learn as much as you can about these needs from parents and carers.

Simplify cues with less talk and explanations, more action.

Stick to the ‘routine’ of the class as much as possible.

Be aware of any triggers which may bother a child or may be distressing in the environment for them – noise, smell, light, closeness of other children.

Use props and visual cues as much as possible – picture cues, poses, rule reminders, story board cards.

Children with limited movement will benefit from breath work, visualisation and supported seated poses or adapted physical movements.

Review and share with parents the positive developments, however large or small and listen to feedback.

And as always….. see each child as competent and capable!