In celebration of International Day of Yoga on Saturday 21 June, children across selected G8 Education centres rolled out their mats this week and took part in mindful movement sessions designed to nurture physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

At Headstart Early Learning Oatlands, yoga has become a much-loved part of the day for many children, and not just for fun.

Centre Manager Kaitlyn McWhirter said the practice helps the children become more aware of their bodies.

“Yoga is a valuable practice for young children as it supports their overall wellbeing in a holistic way: physically, emotionally, and mentally,” Ms McWhirter said.

“It helps children build strength, flexibility, and coordination, and encourages them to slow down and focus.”

With the growing awareness of the importance of emotional regulation in early childhood, yoga is a powerful tool in helping children develop strategies to manage stress and strong feelings.

“Yoga teaches children the important skill of breathing deeply and intentionally,” Ms McWhirter said.

“By learning to breathe in and out slowly, children begin to understand how to use their breath as a tool to calm themselves when they are overwhelmed or upset.”

G8 Education centres that offer yoga integrate it into play-based learning, aligning it with the broader goals of early childhood education and care and the Early Years Learning Framework of Australia.

“Yoga provides a safe, inclusive, and non-competitive environment where every child can experience success and learn at their own pace,” Ms McWhirter said.

“It nurtures concentration, stamina, resilience, and the ability to be present in the moment, skills that support development across all learning areas.”

The benefits are evident. Ms McWhirter said children at Headstart Oatlands are using techniques learned in yoga to settle themselves and manage transitions more smoothly throughout the day.

“We’ve seen children grow stronger and more flexible, and more importantly, they are using breathing techniques independently when they feel overwhelmed or need to calm down,” she said.

“It’s a joyful experience, they laugh, explore, and learn about themselves through movement and mindfulness.

“Yoga fosters confidence, body awareness, and a positive connection between the mind and body.”

As children across G8 Education centres stretch, breathe, and flow, they’re also building skills that will support them for life.