Hello All,
I’m getting ready for this weekend’s Kids Yoga Teacher Training Course. There are places available if you’d like to join us and I’ve extended the early registration deal. Plus, spring is one of the best times to visit Toronto, Canada, and the weather will be great. Here’s the info.
So this week rather than an article I’ll point out a resource that I’ve found very helpful called:
E-Beanstalk – Planting the Seeds that Help Children Grow
Every Kids’ Teacher Needs a Few Good Props
I found this website when I was looking for ideas for props for a kids yoga class I was doing with babies in a daycare. It was my first time teaching babies who were just learning to walk! This website helped me with ideas for toys based on the child’s age. Plus they have some excellent articles like this page:
Developmental Milestones
Contest for those living in the USA
Unfortunately they only deliver in the USA so I’ve had to look for the products they offer at places in my country. But fortunately for any US blog readers they are having a contest to win some gift certificates for their prizes. Since I’m not eligible, I’ve made an arrangement that any people living in the USA who leave a comment can have a chance to win.
Tell Us Your Favorite Prop!
Leave a comment naming your favorite toy to play with kids in your yoga class or at home. I would have to say my favorites are my stuffed animals – it seems like kids of all ages like stuffed animals for a long time. Even if you don’t live in the USA – I’d love to hear from you. Just leave your favorite toy or prop and the country where you live in the comments!
Here’s what e-Beanstalk says about babies:
Ebeanstalk is dedicated to a baby’s development. And we select the best baby toys matched to a baby’s development. To see great information on how a baby grows up, check out the info on our baby toys page.
Picking toys for a baby is not as simple as it sounds. Here are some quick baby facts:
- Toys for a newborn baby: A newborn baby is briefly looking at objects and attempting to imitate facial expressions. They can follow objects with their eyes and usually quiet down, when they are picked up.
- Toys for a three month old: They will enjoy ‘frolic play’, reaching for objects and will repeat enjoyable activities. Believe it or not, they will respond to ‘no’ (about half the time) and will start babbling.
- Toys for a six month old: They’ll search for hidden objects (object permanence). They’ll reach for themselves in the mirror, play peekaboo, crumple paper, roll from their stomach to their back and even respond to their name.
- Toys for a nine month old: They are pushing toy cars, playing pat-a-cake and looking for hidden sounds. The baby toys they are playing with are also getting more fun.
If you find something you like there you can use code TGS345 to get a 15% discount on your first purchase. Even if you can’t buy from this site, you will find some good ideas for props and games for your kids class where ever you are.
Thanks to Mumta who sent me this comment by mail – the DVD draw is over so I've added you to this draw that is still open – good luck.
Hi,
Thks a lot for the wonderful offer for Winning the DVD Yoga for Everybody.
I enjoy reading thru yr website & am a regular reader of yr mails too.
Thks indeed. Its a wonderful & Educating site.
Pl keep up the good work.
Thanks & regards..
Mamta Narula
Hey Aruna,
How was your Teaching week-end? I bet you motivated alot of yoga enthusiasts. I know, I have been to your amazing classess. thanks for your comment on my Flickr site. Have an awesome week. You can use my pics anytime.
Here’s to “Beeing” Aware!!
Hugs,
Ganga
Thanks for your comments all! I’ll let you know if we win a certificate. You can leave a comment until June 26, 2009 to qualify.
Aruna
My experience with babies includes alot of noisemaking musical props like rattles, clappers, drums…baby tamborines…soooo much fun. Enjoy your teaching week-end. Hugs.
I have too many favorite props to chose from! I def. agree with bean bags.. there are numerous activities you can do with those! One of my favorites that I rarely attend class without is my “animal grab bag”: easy to make wonderful to use! Print out some pictures of animals, laminate them, put them in a bag! Done! now you can have the kids pick an animal and teach the pose to the class, you can use them to put under mats and play musical mats, when the music stops you pick up the mat and do that animal pose … so many games to chose from!
thanks for that great baby toys link and the discount code! im looking for a baby gift for a friend and will be checking this out. ebeanstalk looks so cool, unique, and MINDFUL.
my favorite kid’s yoga prop might be a beanbag. good for teaching balance and posture (balance it on various body parts.)
another fun one (can i say more than one, lol!) is a tail…a cotton rabbit tail, a string or twine, even a gift bow stuck on the kid’s tailbone. it is a good way to give cues using the tailbone. (downdog- tails to the sky, etc.)
thanks again for your resources.
clare, usa