Early childhood educators Mary Metzger, Cara Hershkowitz, and April Yaffe presented an inspiring session on social-emotional learning (SEL) through yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork at the 2024 NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif. This conference brings together Early Childhood educators from across the country to share best practices, explore new teaching strategies, and celebrate the growth and development of young children.
In their session, Metzger, Hershkowitz, and Yaffe discussed how essential it is for both children and teachers to recognize and understand their emotions in order to create a learning environment where everyone can thrive. "Every day, children and teachers come to school with feelings and experiences from their lives that can make it challenging to focus or be present," they explained. “Young children are only beginning to learn about their emotions, and often lack the language or self-awareness to express what they’re feeling. This same challenge applies to adults, too.”
They emphasized that emotional intelligence is the foundation for all academic learning. “Research shows that without emotional competencies, children will struggle to succeed academically,” they continued. “That's why helping children develop SEL skills in the early years (Birth-5 years old) is so critical.”
Metzger, Hershkowitz, and Yaffe referred to the five core competencies of SEL outlined by CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), which include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These competencies, they argued, form the cornerstone of all future learning. They pointed out how New York State has set specific goals to foster these skills, focusing on self-awareness to help children develop a sense of identity and agency, social awareness to encourage empathy and inclusion, and responsible decision-making to foster personal and social growth.
One of the key takeaways from the session was the vital role mindfulness plays in developing emotional intelligence. “Mindfulness is the muscle we use to be present and aware of the moment,” they explained, noting that mindfulness and meditation, though closely related, are distinct practices. “Meditation is the exercise that strengthens the mindfulness muscle,” they added, explaining how practices like yoga and breathwork help children build this awareness.
Yoga, they said, offers numerous benefits for young children. "Yoga helps children improve emotional regulation by teaching them to focus on their breath and the present moment," they shared. "It helps build body awareness, as children focus on their own movements and spatial awareness. Yoga also enhances concentration because children must pay attention to their poses and their body’s alignment." Most importantly, yoga teaches children discipline and intentionality, helping to reduce impulsivity and develop self-control.
They also highlighted how these practices not only benefit children but teachers as well. “In our classrooms, we focus on mindfulness and yoga every day, both for the children and for ourselves,” they said. “We encourage teachers to push themselves out of their comfort zones and try something new. This session was a huge undertaking for us, and it was incredibly rewarding to see our efforts culminate in one hundred people clapping for us.”
Their message to the conference audience was clear: Integrating mindfulness and yoga into early childhood classrooms can make a profound difference in children’s emotional and academic development. With intentional focus on SEL, young children are empowered to better navigate the world around them, fostering skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
For Metzger, Hershkowitz, and Yaffe, this moment was a powerful reminder of the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone and embracing new challenges for personal and professional growth. Their presentation was not only a celebration of the positive impact of yoga, mindfulness, and SEL on young learners but also a testament to the strength and resilience of teachers (especially ours) who are committed to making a difference in the lives of children.