OBSERVATION 2 - TODDLER YOGA PROGRAM MODULE 9

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PROGRAM GOAL
The art of yoga; what an awesome way to teach literacy to children? I was
mesmerized, enlightened and captivated having being granted the opportunity to
observe a toddler yoga program at a Houston Public Library location. What a
remarkable and innovative way to teach early literacy to children. Though the program
specifically targeted children ages 18 to 36 months (along with their parents/guardians
and caregivers) the program was also open to children of all ages. On the day that I
observed, there were children ranging from 12 months to 8 years of age. The toddler
yoga is offered every Thursday morning from 10:30 until 11:15 am and is conducted by
a guess. Understandably this is a popular program with a maximum 30 children/adults
capacity. On the morning that I attended the program was full to capacity with 21
children and 12 adults. The programs goal focuses on teaching parents how to
successfully interact with their children as they become more mobile. The conductor of
the program energetically introduces parents/caregivers to simple yoga poses that they
can demonstrate to their children while encouraging their children to perform the pose.
The yoga program also provides the child with a sense of accomplishment.
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM
The program commenced with the participants joining in singing to sing the
Hello Kids Yoga Song with the words projected on the wall. After about seven minutes
into the program, the hello song is completed and the presenter leads the children in the
yoga alphabets for kids for about ten minutes. The yoga alphabets cleverly encourage
the children to manipulate their bodies into shapes (yoga poses) that resemble the
alphabets. The chart with the alphabets on it is also mirrored on the wall for the parents

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and children to view. Each adult also receives a take home copy of the yoga alphabets
(which are pictures of the poses). The host then introduces her young audience to
simple yoga poses in a story format that coincides with the book, Kids Yoga: Bedtime
Rhymes, written by Jeff Maier. As the instructor recites the book, she demonstrates
objects and concepts by demonstrating the yoga poses. She also encourages the
children/parents to participate in the poses as well. Example of the poses include a
mountain pose (the children stand strong and tall); rockets (the children stretch their
arms up high); half-moon (bending from side to side); reaching up high to make a tree, a
frog, down dog, cat, cow, crocodile, superman, baby pose, and mediation pose. After 20
minutes of introducing simple yoga poses, the class concludes with 5 minutes of cool
down yoga moves as the instructor bid goodbye to the families.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
The program presenter made available surveys for each adult participant to
complete, information sheets for first time participants and a sign in sheet with the
parents names and the number of child/children accompanying each adult. The sign in
sheet is an example of a quantitative measurement that allows an opportunity to count
the number of children attending the programs. The surveys and the information sheets
are also quantitative measurement which will allow the library to collect information
quickly and efficiently while obtaining statistical information on the customers who
attended the toddler yoga program. The surveys will also ensure the privacy of the
customers and provide information that will assist in improving future programs.
PERSONAL EVALUATION

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The toddler yoga program consisted of music, movement and books that encouraged
the audience to become actively involved in the yoga program. It was very entertaining
and the instructor was energetic and extremely enthused. However she managed to
maintain a soothing, peaceful and calming tone that kept the children calm as they
listened and participated in the yoga poses that was presented in a storytelling like
manner. The yoga poses were simple and age appropriate, yet challenging for the
young audience. The instructor also incorporated animal sounds while portraying yoga
poses that represented animals and other sounds that depicted other moments and
concepts. This toddler yoga program assisted in increasing the childrens vocabulary,
introducing them to new ideas and yoga moves while providing them with quality time
with their parents/guardian and caregivers. The group was small and intimate and
extremely effective in introducing simple yoga poses to parents to introduce to their
child/children while promoting early literacy. The presenter was successful in
incorporating books, music and yoga.
The length of the program was a total of 42 minutes. For me, this was definitely a
new approach and concept to promoting early literacy. Therefore I literally took in as
much information as possible. The one addition that I would make would be to make
available books and DVDs for check out and websites to visit regarding and yoga for
children. Over all this was a well presented and entertaining program. This is definitely a
program that I would imitate in my library to promote early literacy, family unity and of
course beginning yoga.