Date of Award

5-2014

Document Type

Action Research Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education, Montessori

First Advisor

Amanda Perna

Department/School

Montessori Early Childhood

Abstract

Abstract

Each year children enter into group childcare settings. This is both a necessity for working parents and can be a great introduction to their first group education program. Along with the positive aspects of group care come some negatives. Toddlers show signs of stress such as crying at drop off that can last from a moment to many hours during the day. Toddlers can be very social but must learn how to navigate these social interactions by sharing, taking turns, waiting for materials to become available, and receiving less individual attention from a single caregiver. In this Action Research Project I introduce a curriculum of yoga to toddlers in a Montessori setting as a means of reducing stress. This curriculum intends to teach children to calm themselves through relaxation, breathing, and focus on an activity of interest. In addition, I show that the yoga can increase focus and attention through extended periods of work time. Primary data sources include the use of direct observation to record behaviors pre-, during and post- yoga curriculum. These observations include the recording of specific behaviors that indicate a stressful situation as well as length of time it takes for a child to recover from such behaviors. Also recorded were lengths of time children could hold their focus working on a specific material. Findings show yoga was an effective method of teaching children to self-soothe, using breathing techniques to calm themselves. In addition, focus and concentration increased over the period of time yoga was introduced during the morning routine.

36560-57377_-_ActionResearchPPJalalat[1].pptx (221 kB)
Use of Yoga to Alleviate Stress in Toddler Group Care

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