Classroom Management: 5 Ways To Eliminate Disruptive Behavior In Kids Yoga Class

Disruptive behaviors are a reality for most children and are especially prevalent in children with ADHD and autism. Learning to control those behaviors is an ongoing and often frustrating process for them, their parents, teachers, and caregivers. Here are some tips to help correct disruptive behaviors in yoga class and at home.

1. Communicate expectations: Children need to know what is expected of them. Talk to them. Tell them what appropriate behavior looks, sounds, and feels like. Repeat frequently. This will make them more aware of your actions. I did this every time we went to the supermarket or ate at a restaurant with my little ones. The same goes for the yoga class. Make sure your students know what is expected of them and when. Remember to make time to have fun, make noise, and play.
2. Teach respect: Yoga concepts of ahimsa (nonviolence), brahmacarya (conservation) and tapas (self-discipline) all relate to respect for oneself and others. Teach respect through conversations and stories. Praise children when they show respect. Remind them when they forget. Show respect in your own life, especially when it comes to a disruptive individual. As tempting as it may be, this is not the time to lose your cool. Practice Take 5 together as needed.
3. Reward appropriate behavior: Generate rewards. Often times, disruptive children only get attention for their inappropriate behaviors. Instead put them on being good. Praise often by specifically mentioning what they are doing right. Choose a child who behaves appropriately to be the teacher’s assistant in a pose / activity. Trade yoga “work” with a yoga “reward”; If they can focus on the poses / meditation in class, then they can play a yoga game / sing a song. I often reward my kids for good behavior with a trip to the pet store after running errands.
4. Go ahead: Children thrive when they know what to expect. Establish consequences and forever Keep going, even when it’s inconvenient or embarrassing. This may mean taking a child aside and reminding them of your expectations. Sometimes a reassuring hand, a whispered comment, or a provision of responsibilities will engage the child and turn a negative into a positive. Some classes offer a quiet corner where children can go if they need some time alone or a break to breathe. If the negative behavior persists, ask the child to temporarily withdraw. Briefly discuss things away from prying eyes and ears and then go back to your normal activities, putting the incident behind you.
5. Practice patience: Remember that every child is growing and learning. They will overcome and learn to handle disruptive behaviors with time and consistency. Work on one behavior modification at a time. Stick with yourself and keep your expectations realistic (5 minutes of good behavior for many is a win). Prepare children for success, then celebrate those successes generously.