Challenging Words

Challenging Words

In my elementary aged kid’s yoga classes, I rarely use the “child friendly” pose names that are popular. I use the English pose names that I use in my regular vinyasa classes. I made that conscious decision at the start, when first thinking about Mindful Moving Kids, and what I wanted it to be.

Because words matter. Yes, calling “mouse pose” instead of “child’s pose” may bring a brief smile or flash of imagination; but I believe that we can challenge kids with our words.  Instead of over-simplifying yoga terms in hopes of engaging young learners, why not challenge kids with a new vocabulary, stimulate their imaginations in a different way, and maybe stretch their thinking? While “warrior II” may not be as immediately familiar as “surfer”, I welcome the curiosity and discussion an unfamiliar term like this can prompt. In the long run, I’ve found that this method ends up being more successful in maintaining attention and engagement - because the novelty and perceived challenge keeps kids stimulated.

There’s research to support this approach; in fact, learning theory is a huge area of psychological research, and one that is near and dear to my heart (ask me about the learning theory lab I worked in during college sometime, the stories are ridiculous).  Studies on motivation in children have shown that kids are born with motivation to learn; and other studies show that motivation is sustained when kids are challenged by achievable goals. More anecdotally, kids usually get a kick out of being treated like adults (ie: the Shirley Temple presented in cocktail class with an umbrella).  Why should yoga be any different? Make it fun, make it accessible, but make it unfamiliar and challenging, too. 

Of course, there’s always an exception, right? Never say never and all that.  For kids younger than elementary school, I would absolutely use more child-friendly, familiar pose names. Because going back to that point above - ACHIEVABLE.  If the challenge becomes too hard, kids may withhold from trying or feel unsuccessful and demotivate quickly.  For preschool aged kiddos, the challenge of moving their bodies in new and unfamiliar ways is enough, adding new vocabulary isn’t necessary to stimulate their motivation to learn.