A 10-Minute Yoga & Reading Routine for Kids

Jan 28

A 10-Minute Yoga & Reading Routine for Kids

This routine helps children settle their bodies, focus their minds, and feel ready to engage with books. It works well for ages 3–7, and can be easily adapted as children grow.

1. Get Ready to Read (2 Minutes)

Purpose: Calm the body and prepare the brain for learning.

Sit together on the floor or a mat.
Take three slow breaths:
- Breathe in through the nose
- Breathe out through the mouth
Say:
“We’re getting our bodies and brains ready to read.”

Optional prompt:
“How does your body feel right now?”

2. Warm-Up Yoga Poses (4 Minutes)

Purpose: Build focus, body awareness, and listening skills.

Move slowly through these poses, holding each for 2–3 breaths:

Mountain Pose – Stand tall and strong
“We’re standing like confident readers.”
Tree Pose – Balance on one foot
“Can you stay steady and focused?”
Cat/Cow – On hands and knees, gently round and stretch the back
“Let’s move with our breath.”
Child’s Pose – Knees down, resting forward
“This is a calm place for our bodies.”

Encourage children to listen carefully to directions—this directly supports reading comprehension.

3. Read Together (3 Minutes)

Purpose: Practice attention, comprehension, and connection.

Choose one short book.
Sit comfortably—after yoga, children are often more settled.
As you read:
- Pause to ask simple questions:
  “What do you think will happen next?”
  “How is the character feeling?”
- Let your child point to pictures or words if they’d like.

Keep this pressure-free. The goal is enjoyment and engagement.

4. Reflect and Connect (1 Minute)

Purpose: Build language and comprehension.

Ask one or two questions:

“What was your favorite part of the story?”
“Which yoga pose helped your body feel calm?”
“Did anything in the story remind you of a pose we did?”

This reflection strengthens understanding and expressive language.

Tips for Success

Keep it short and consistent—even a few minutes matters.
Follow your child’s lead. Movement doesn’t have to be perfect.
Use this routine before reading time, homework, or bedtime.
Celebrate effort, not performance.

Why This Routine Works

Yoga helps children regulate their bodies and emotions, making it easier to focus, listen, and engage with books. When movement and reading are paired together, children build confidence—not just as readers, but as learners.

At Rockstar Leaders, we believe strong reading skills grow when children feel calm, capable, and supported—one mindful moment at a time.