Jenga, and other Fun Ways to Focus

Trying not to tumble the tower...

While getting kids active is a major goal of any little yoga class, an equally important goal is helping kids be calm and centered.  If it were as easy as just telling youngsters to be calm, it wouldn't be such a challenge!  Luckily, yoga is a perfect way for kids to practice focusing their energy on a productive task.  One of our favorite activities in my studio is Yoga Jenga.

Before starting the game, we do yoga breathing exercises while we warm up our fine motor skills.  We play using classic Jenga rules, with the addition of a yoga pose written on each block that must be performed to complete every turn.  The kids love seeing how tall they can get the tower without knocking it over, so they don't need me to remind them to be calm and careful during the game! It is the perfect excercise in self-control and concentration, and with the common goal of keep the tower from toppling, the game is lighthearted and no competitive. 

 Jenga is one of my favorite kids yoga activities, but there are countless ways to practice concentration and attentiveness:

Read.  Have your kids listen as you read to them, checking in periodically to see that they are following along. Let older kids practice reading aloud to you - what better way for them to get ahead with literacy!
Color.  Kids of all ages love coloring!  You can find hundreds of free printable coloring sheets here.  Even better Han coloring is drawing.  Play some instrumental music, and on a blank sheet of paper have the little yogis draw or color whatever the music makes them think of.
Sing.  Learn new songs together! Or teach them new ways to sing old favorites, like singing Row Row Row Your Boat in a round.
Origami. You can often find free community newspapers that have the perfect pages for making a kid-size origami hat.  Only a few simple folds, add some color customization, and it's ready to wear!

All of these activities are fun ways for kids to apply themselves.  They are perfect ways of playing that are simple, inexpensive, and great learning opportunities - just like yoga!