Enhancing Self-Regulation Through Mindful
Yoga Breathing in a Preschool-Aged Child
Biannca Guzman
PK-3 Program
Introduction
•Behavior Definitions:
•Self-regulation is a critical aspect in a child’s learning experience – Self-regulation - “the process of
in that it is said to “predict how well children make the transition to modulating systems of emotion, attention
school and how they fare in the early grades” (Copple & and behavior in response to a given
Bredekamp, 2009, p.7). Through the development of self regulation contextual situation, stimulus or demand
it is noted that children then have a better learning experience. (Razza, Bergen-Cico & Raymond, 2013
p.2)
•Data Collection:
•A mindful yoga breathing (MYB) exercise intervention was
– Data were collected on a partial interval
implemented to increase a selected child's ability to self-regulate in
basis: If the child was self-regulating and
their preschool classroom.
the teacher was giving +/- responses it
was recorded as partial interval.
•The guiding research question for this study was “Will the
implementation of mindful yoga breathing exercises periodically, – Reliability was calculated on 16% of the
observed sessions, interobserver
increase self-regulation during whole group activities in a
agreement was 89% (range, 85-95%)
preschool-aged child?”
based on both child self-regulation and
teacher responses.
Findings
Child Self Regulation: 100
Percentage of Observed Intervals
During baseline, child self-regulation averaged 44% (range,
with child self-regulation and
90
teacher positive responses
35- 55%); when the MYB Intervention was implemented, child
80
self-regulation averaged 60%% (range, 55- 70%). This
70
represents an increase of 16% percentage points.
60
Teacher Positive Responses 50
During baseline, teacher positive responses averaged 16% (range, 40
10- 25%); when the MYB Intervention was implemented, teacher 30
positive responses averaged 26% (range, 20-30%). This represents 20
an increase of 10% percentage points. 10
0
1 2
Method Discussion
Experimental Conditions:
•Baseline: Everyday, the teacher would use In this intervention it was seen that the selected child enjoyed
verbal redirection when students were not participating in the exercise as once the research concluded she
self-regulating during whole group would ask to go do the exercise on the following days.
instruction.
This research showed that through the Mindful Yoga Breathing
technique the child was indeed able to better self-regulate.
•Mindful Yoga Breathing Intervention: The
Although this student still had some moments that she would not
MYB intervention was implemented twice per
self-regulate, she had an overall increase in this area of
day by the researcher after the child ate
development.
breakfast and before center time. The student
was coached through a 30-second segment of
deep breathing exercises along with hand
gestures justifying how the exercise aided in
remaining calm and focused. (Razza, Bergen-
Cico & Raymond, 2013).
Conclusion
• Results of the present study are similar to finding from the study
Enhancing Preschoolers’ Self-regulation Via Mindful Yoga
Baseline Mindful Yoga Breathing Intervention
• This intervention can be incorporated within classrooms by setting
Childs inability to self aside time during students daily routine and allowing them breathing
Childs ability to self-regulate
exercises.
No response from teacher
• Further research can be done to expand on the effects of this
intervention and answer the question of “How would MYB
implementation alter self-regulation over a longer period of time?”
Positive teacher response • Copple, C., & Bredekamp, S. (2009). Developmentally appropriate
practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth t
Negative teacher hrough age 8. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the
response Education of Young Children
• Razza, R. A., Bergen-Cico, D., & Raymond, K. (2013). Enhancing
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Preschoolers’ Self-Regulation Via Mindful Yoga. Journal of Child
Sessions and Family Studies, 24(2), 372-385.doi:10.1007/s10826-013-
9847-6