Yoga Intervention for Toddlers

1. Poses with Panda:
Growth and
Development of 2
to 5 Year Olds
Amanda Warren and Andrew
Trevino
November 10, 2014
*Opportunities for Candy, Keep
Your Eyes and Ears Open!

2. Skeletal System Changes
○Time of Rapid bone growth
○ Seen twice in childhood, age 1-4 years and puberty
○ Attain 50-60% peak bone mass by puberty
○ Dynamic process includes increase in length and diameter of bones
○ Bones more porous than adult bone making them more sensitive to
compressive and tensile stresses most commonly seen at the
epiphyseal plate
○ Factors affecting bone growth-genetics, general health, nutrition
and EXERCISE
○ Research has shown that physical exercise, increases bone mineral
content and density in prepubescent children
○ HIGH IMPACT ACTIVITIES Cech,
2012

3. Skeletal System Changes
○Changes in shape, angle, rotation and proportion of
skeleton
○ Occurs when walking begins due to weight bearing and torsional
forces of muscles (around 1 year old)
○ Lower extremities experience faster growth than axial skeleton
○ NORMAL: In infancy , child’s tibiofemoral relationship is in a
position of genu varum (bow legged) and by the age of 3 the
relationship has changed to a position of genu valgus
(knock knee)
○ The proximal head of the femur does not reach adult form until
the age of 8
Cech, 2012

4. Muscular System Changes
○Time of Muscle Maturation
○differentiation of muscle fiber type persists
from birth into young adulthood
○Contractile characteristic of some muscle
slows between the ages of 6 weeks to 3 years
(more Type 1 fibers, more postural muscles )
○Between the ages 3 and 10, speed of muscle
contraction increases due to faster muscle
relaxation after contraction
Cech, 2012

5. Muscular System Changes
○Changes in Muscle Strength
○ Muscle strength increases linearly and gradually as age
increases during childhood until age 12-13
○ Increase of mean isometric strength occurs between the age of
3 and 6
○ Clinically, Isokinetic Dynamometry is shown to be the most valid
measurement of strength in children & height has also been
shown to be the best predictor of strength
○ Genetics play a major role in strength development
○ Strength can be increased in prepubescent children using
resistance training, muscle strength gains as a result of nervous
system changes
Cech, 2012

6. Cardiovascular System Changes
○Changes in body size (increase in height and weight)
related to changes in heart and vessel composition and
size
○ Heart increases in size and is160mL at age 2
○ ratio of heart volume to fat free body weight:
-10 mL/kg of body weight
○ Wall of the left ventricle thickens
○ Increase stroke volume
○ decrease heart rate
○ Increase Blood Pressure
○ Increase in Blood Volume
○ Vessel walls increases in thickness
○ Myocyte maturation occurs leading to stronger force behind contraction
Cech, 2012

7. Pulmonary System Changes
○ Changes in thorax, lung, and airway size
○ Ribs are being pulled into a downward angle while rib cage
becomes stiffer as cartilage is turned into bone
- increases function of diaphragm
○ Children 5 yrs and under still have multiple airways
< 2mm in diameter despite increase in airway size
○ Increase in # of alveoli until adult # is reached by age 8
○ alveoli and bronchioles are weaker
○ no smooth muscle until 3-4 years
○ elastic tissue not fully formed until after adolescence
** harder to inflate lungs & risk for airway collapse and disease
Cech, 2012

8. Nervous System Changes
○Increases in Nerve myelination and Conduction Speed
○ Motor areas of the brain myelinate first but by the age of 2
sensory and motor brain areas are equally myelinated
○ Nerve conduction speed reaches adult speed (60m/sec) by
the age of 3
○ Increase in speed and myelination helps with acquisition
and refinement of complex skills acquired- jumping,
throwing, catching, and balancing (ages 3-6)
Cech, 2012

9. Nervous System Changes
○Changes in Cognition and Memory
○ 75% of adult brain weight is reached by 2 years (90% at age
6) & increase in myelination 2 yr. olds can combine 2 words, 3
yr. olds combine 3
○ Explicit memory (naming shapes, colors, animals) has been
established as early as 7 months but recall of events isn’t seen
until the at of 3 years
○ Information processing and reaction times increase between
3-5 years
Cech, 2012

10. Sensory System Changes
○ Rapid sensory system maturation
○ Automatic Postural Reactions
○ Behavioral state and novelty of stimulus play a
role in an infant’s level of interest to sensory
information
○ Highest level of somatic sensation awareness at
age 5
○ Proprioception at age 8
○ Most 5 year olds know left from right
○ Spatial awareness by age 3-4
Cech, 2012

11. Vital Functions
○ Sleep
○ By 3 years, the child’s REM sleep constitutes 20-
25% of total sleep time (same percentage as adults)
○ Ingestion/Digestion
○ 3x birth weight by age1, 4x by age 2
○ First tooth by 6 months
○ All 20 baby teeth by 2.5 years
○ First permanent tooth by age 6
○ Elimination
○ Control defecation and micturition by ages 2-3
○ Boys more prone to accidents (position)
Cech, 2012https://www.flickr.com/photos/donhomer/7398339974/

12. Health and Fitness
○ Children increase strength primarily via
increased neural recruitment
○ Children metabolize fat during exercise
rather than carbohydrates
○ Children have smaller airways leading
to higher frequency of breaths
○ Bone growth, precedes muscle growth
○ STRETCH!
○ Children are less able to sweat
Cech, 2012
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Russia

13. Motor Development
○Development is sequential
○Progresses Cephalocaudally
○Progresses Proximal to Distal
○Mobility is present before stability
○2 Year Olds - True Running emerges
○3 Year Olds - Skipping and tricycle riding
○4 Year Olds - Hop on one foot (girls > boys)
○5 Year Olds - Single leg balance and balance
beam
Cech, 2012http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=188&keyword=balance%20beam&CategorySearch=&Brand=&Price=

14. Why is Health and Wellness Important
in this Population?
“It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that children ages 2 to 11
years should achieve optimal physical and cognitive development, maintain healthy
weights, enjoy food, and reduce the risk of chronic disease through appropriate eating
habits and participation in regular physical activity.”
○ Ogata 2014
“Nearly a third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, which puts them at higher
risk for diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease and
some cancers.”
○ Kuzel 2014
“A cross-sectional study in the United states of 4- to 12-year-olds showed that 37% of children
had low levels of activity play, 65% had high levels of sedentary activity (screentime), and 26%
had both low levels of active play and high screentime.”
○ Cech 2014
Increased incidences in pediatric hypertension- estimated 2%-5%
Suggested prevention includes healthy diet and PHYSICAL EXERCISE!!!
○ Cech 2014

15. What is Currently Being Done About
It...
○Let’s Move Initiative http://www.letsmove.gov/
○ First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to help place children back
on the path of leading a healthy lifestyle
○ Reducing childhood obesity and increasing physical activity
○Partnership for a Healthier America
http://ahealthieramerica.org/
○ Playstreets
http://vimeo.com/46885042
-Events that close down streets in neighborhoods that lack open
spaces, playgrounds, and parks creating an area where children
can be physical activity
○ Olympics partnership
-Offered free and low cost beginner athletic programing
-partnerships were able to get 2.2 million kids active in
2012

16. Who: Assigned to 2-5 year olds
Did program with 2 year only
group
What: Poses with Panda (and
Cat) Yoga
Where: Fitzsimons Early
Learning Center
When: October 22, 2014
Why: Our inspiration along with
site suggestion- Nuff Said
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Service Learning Project

17. ○ “Toddlers demonstrate relatively sedentary behaviors during free-play.”
(Fees BS. 2014)
○ “Yoga may help children and young people cope with stress and thus,
contribute positively to balance in life, well-being, and mental health.”
(Hagen I. 2014)
○ Promote strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility
(White, LS. 2009)
○ Alternate activity to “traditional” sports
(White, LS. 2009)
○ Yoga has been shown to decrease ADHD symptoms for sustained focus
(Hariprasad VR. 2013)
○ Studies suggest that walking and its associated internal and external forces
are primary determinants of bone strength in early childhood
(Ireland A. 2014)
EASY AND FUN TO TEACH!!!
More “Why” behind choosing
Yoga

18. Everybody UP, it’s Yoga
Time!!
WARM UP!!!
“Swoosh”
“Tumble Dry”

19. Fan Favorites!!
“Horse”
“Gorilla”

20. Perplexing Poses
“Crab”
“Fish”
“Mouse”

21. Project Design Specifics
○Chose 16 yoga poses imitating objects,
animals, and nature (plus warm up and cool
down)
○Made flashcards and poster boards with
pictures of what object or animal children
should imitate
○Plan to have each child pick a pose from the
pile of flashcards to determine sequence of
poses and facilitate participation
○“ Yoga instructors” dress up as animals to
engage children’s imagination
(White LS. 2009)

22. What outcomes did we expect?
○Children to not fully understand that they
were doing yoga, working on balance,
breathing, and stretching
○Had to incorporate ways to do this in a fun
and creative way
○Better response from teachers/facility

23. Project Challenges
○Largest challenge: Working with site!!
○Time Constraints
-30 minute time window
-Shoes and socks off
○Concept of spreading out
○Holding Positions
○Card Selection
○Varied Participation

24. Project Positives
○Great participation overall
○Reacted extremely well to animal instructors
○Great listeners, well mannered
○Poster board picture cues made all the
difference
○Animals worked better than objects
-especially ones that made noise
○Felt like poses were scaled appropriately

25. Next time...
○ Come up with more learning aids other than
just pictures
○show stuffed animals, play animal noises
○Hands on correction if possible
○help position with tactile cuing
○Try yoga poses with the 2-5 age group
○interesting to see range of abilities

26. Multiple Choice Question
Which of the following is true about the
growth and development of children
ages 2-5?
a. Smaller airways increase resistance
to airflow and puts children at a
higher risk of blockage.
b. Time of rapid bone growth and
increased bone density that benefits
from high impact loading (jumping).
c. Increase in nerve conduction speed
due to increase in myelin helps with
acquisition and refinement of complex
skills such as jumping, throwing,
catching, and balancing.
d. All of the above

27. References
Cech D, Martin S. Functional Movement Development Across the Life Span, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co; 2012.
Ogata BN, Hayes D. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: nutrition guidance for healthy children ages 2 to 11 years. Journal of the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Aug 2014;114(8):1257-1276.
Kuzel R, Larson J. Treating childhood obesity. Minnesota medicine. Jan 2014;97(1):48-50.
Let’s Move, America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids. http://www.letsmove.gov/. Accessed November 9, 2014.
Partnership for a Healthier America. http://ahealthieramerica.org. Accessed November 9, 2014.
Partnership for a Healthier America. Playstreets v3 [Video]. Vimeo http://vimeo.com/46885042 . Uploaded August 3, 2012. Accessed November
8, 2014.
Cosmic Kids Yoga.TwilighttheUnicornofDreams.[Video].Youtube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLOOOjGAM1s. Published April 30, 2014.
Accessed November 9, 2014.
Fees BS, Fischer E, Haar S, Crowe LK. Toddler Activity Intensity During Indoor Free-Play: Stand and Watch. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2014;
Hagen I, Nayar US. Yoga for Children and Young People's Mental Health and Well-Being: Research Review and Reflections on the Mental
Health Potentials of Yoga. Front Psychiatry. 2014;5:35.
White LS. Yoga for Children. Pediatric Nursing. Sep-Oct 2009;35(5):277-283,295.
Hariprasad Vr, Arasappa R, Varambally S, Srinath S, Gangadhar BN. Feasibility and efficacy of yoga as an add-on intervention in attention
deficit-hyperactivity disorder: An exploratory study. Indian J Psychiatry. 2013 Jul;55(Supple 3):S370-84.
Ireland A, Rittweger J, Schonau E, Lamberg-Allardt C, Viljakainen H. Time since onset of walking predicts tibial bone strength in early childhood.
Bone. 2014 Nov;68:76-84.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Word ClipArt, 2010