Looking for a fun and engaging activity to boost your babysitting skills?
Whether you are one of Mômji’s thousands of babysitters in France or working in childcare on your own, we’ve got a great activity to you – yoga!
Find out below all you need to know to introduce a child to the sport.
Want to learn more about nanny skills? Read about 5 soft skills you will develop as a babysitter.
Why do yoga with kids?
If you are a frequent Yoga-goer, the chances are you know the physical and mental benefits it can bring. And for those unfamiliar with the sport, those include a greater calmness, flexibility and overall body strength.
American yoga expert Lauren Toolin has taught yoga to children for years and told yogajournal.com that: “We’re providing a service that goes beyond hugs and housing. We’re actually helping children develop a skill set that is going to build their character and build their ability to make decisions appropriately.”
Toolin’s mantra makes sense. From the moment babies are born, their bodies are moving and contorting into shapes adults can only dream of. Going hand in hand with their natural curiosity, yoga is the perfect way to make the most of your babysitting time with them.
Your 5-step guide for introducing children to yoga:
1 – Set an example
The easiest way to get children involved is to get stuck in yourself. Whilst babysitting and your child is calm, use the space to practice some yoga on your own. Young children are inherently curious and are sure to pay attention.
However, as SuperYogis’ Rina Jakubowicz advises, you must never force a child to take up yoga. In all likelihood, they will want to get involved, but pushing it on them will have the opposite effect.
2 – Offer space
Whilst you’re setting an example, be sure to make an inviting space for the child. A silent invitation to join you, having a mat or clear space by your side shows the youngster it’s a group activity. Sure, they may actually start by wanting to climb all over your back, but opening the activity up is vital.
3 – Love their curiosity
A child’s curiosity is the most important cog in their learning process and development. At times, incessant questions can grate on babysitters, it’s not an easy job! But an activity like yoga can channel their curiosity in a manner that is not only engaging but beneficial too.
“I try to get kids to think for themselves”, Jakubowicz says. “If they ask me a question, I’ll ask them what they think the answer is. When one person says one answer, and the others say something else, I’ll address it: ‘Do we see there is more than one answer to that question and is that okay?”.
In fact, a curiosity to try new yoga poses and push their bodies means that children often make quicker progress in yoga than many adults!
4 – Start simple
Clearly, there’s no point throwing kids in at the deep end. A slow and steady introduction is the best route to take. Whether it be chanting yoga mantras, finding a children’s yoga book or sharing stories from yoga history like the epic superhero journeys of Hindu gods, they are all good starting blocks. From there, move on to the basic moves. Whatever you do, avoid overwhelming the youngsters.
5 – Teach them to breathe
Breathing is at the centre of yoga practice. Whether it be adults or children, mastering breathing is key. It brings calmness, improves focus and reduces anxiety.
Kate Holcombe, founder of the Healing Yoga Foundation in San Francisco, helped her children battle anxiety through yoga led breathing: “I said, ‘You know what I do when I’m worried? I place a palm on my belly, and I focus on my breath. I try to find my quiet breathing.”
Whether the children you babysit have more anxious personalities or not, breathing has universal benefits no matter the age.
And, if you’re looking for more babysitting or teaching work in Paris, don’t forget to apply through our online form.
