Yoga & Screen Time
How a Real Yoga Teacher Makes all the Difference
Written by A. Simon - October 2019
Copyright - Minnesota Kid’s Yoga Co. LLC
kids are learning content from videos or digital media more than ever before…
In an ever-changing digital world, kids are learning academics, social skills, and even fitness programs all from digital media at alarming rates. K-12 education systems nation wide, especially in St. Paul, Minnesota, are making constant efforts to provide tablets as a 1:1 ratio for students. Simbiainformation.com reported that the tablet market in our education system has grown a whopping 32%, and increased to over 1 million units.
New technology has wonderful benefits — which include: (1) online stories that meet kids at their reading levels, (2) decoding classes, (3) and life-like history or geography classes through the use of virtual reality goggles — to name just a few. Additionally, it’s no secret that incorporating electronics into education is crucial when making sure students are fully prepared for a digital work-environment. However, due to increased screen time, many kids are missing-out on important social experiences.
Kidshealth.org, in a recent article titled “Screen Time Guidelines for Big Kids,” agrees that even educational screen time, such as researching for reports or completing homework assignments, still need limitations.
Social interactions, concrete kinesthetic activities, and hands-on learning projects are being compromised. Kids now spend several hours of their day in front of screens and in contrast are receiving less time face-to-face with teachers — the education experts! What’s worse, is that kids are developing mental health problems due to media’s increased influences. BMJ Open, a medical journal backed by research discovered that excess screen time directly links to depression.
Govtech.com reported recently in their article, “Too Much Screen Time in Schools” that kids are suffering from physical health issues directly linked to too much screen time at school. Children are being diagnosed with vision problems such as myopia. Further, social implications on kids’ ability to conduct conversations are popping up as well! Govtech.com suggests that teachers need to look deeper into why they are using digital resources. Also, teachers need to ask themselves if they are truly guiding kids as they use technology, or are they using it as a supplement to their teaching. Many teachers have a wonderful mix of media and in-person lessons. However, some do not!
So, what does all of this have to do with kids yoga?
Schools, especially preschools, use “Youtube” or other videos as a way to integrate “yoga” into their curriculum. Parents hear that their kids are doing yoga, and think its great! However, digital yoga is vastly different from in-person, hands-on yoga with a qualified teacher! When comparing education online to in-person, a person can mentally remove themself much easier when learning is online. Further, when learning is strictly from a screen, there is no follow through or relationship. When kids see a teacher they respect doing yoga, they are much more likely to cooperate, versus a digital teacher whom they have no rapport with.
Lastly, screen yoga challenges a vital concept of yoga —- which is being present! When kids do yoga solely from a screen, they are not fully present because their focus is placed outward rather than inward. I’m not saying all online yoga is bad, because honestly there is SO MUCH benefit from videos created by, Cosmic Yoga or Alo Gives, to name just two. Hey! I’ve even made my own kids yoga videos, see them here. So clearly, I believe they are helpful! Yoga videos ultimately get kids moving and breathing — the main objective of fitness in schools! However, real-life yoga needs to be “sprinkled-in” as well.
When teaching younger learners, hands-on learning is always much more beneficial! Kids that are youth-aged need concrete examples, and they need to learn in ways that incorporate all five-senses, as well as, engage multiple areas of their brain.
Additionally, kids crave attention. They love when a teacher notices them doing something well, and adore when a teacher gives them a compliment. With that said, kids need yoga in-person! If you are an adult, wanting to exercise from the comfort of your home, by all means watch a yoga video! However, kids benefit so much more from a real-life teacher. They can ask questions, are more engaged, can feel personally connected to the movements, and will truly take-away a richer experience!
In conclusion, sign your child up for a real class today. If you are a teacher, find a local yoga teacher willing to come in and teach yoga first-hand to your students! If you make this simple change, I promise you and your students/children will love what hands-on yoga provides!