If you have little ones in your care who you feel could benefit from yoga in your routine, here are some tips to make the experience more successful.

Step one is understanding ADHD.  Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. In children with ADHD, brain development follows a different timeline. Research shows that the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for impulse control, attention, and emotional regulation, often matures more slowly and may be slightly smaller in size compared to neurotypical peers. Other areas of the brain, including the cerebellum, hippocampus, and amygdala, may also have reduced volume, and patterns of brain connectivity can differ significantly.

For professionals working with young children, understanding these neurological differences is essential. They help explain why children with ADHD often struggle with attention, regulation, transitions, and learning, not because they are unwilling, but because their brains are still developing the connections needed to manage these skills.

I recently delivered a presentation to early learning professionals focused on early brain development, drawing on concepts from The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel. One of the key messages was the importance of integration, helping the left and right hemispheres of the brain, as well as the upper and lower brain, work together as a unified system.

Dr. Siegel uses the phrase “flip our lid” to describe what happens when the brain becomes overwhelmed. When sensory input becomes too much, loud noises, bright lights, uncomfortable clothing, or emotional overload, the connections between different parts of the brain temporarily disconnect. For a child, this can result in emotional outbursts, impulsive behaviour, or shutdowns.

For children with ADHD, these moments can happen more frequently due to differences in brain connectivity and regulation. Understanding this helps caregivers and educators respond with empathy rather than frustration, and it also highlights why practices like yoga can be so beneficial.

Once we understand how the ADHD brain is wired, yoga becomes less about stillness and more about connection. Yoga supports children with ADHD by offering structured movement, intentional breathing, and mindful awareness in a way that feels safe and achievable.

There are many yoga programs specifically designed for children with ADHD, giving them practical tools they can use in everyday life to navigate big emotions and challenging moments. Through movement, breath, and mindfulness, yoga can support emotional regulation, self-awareness, and confidence within a nurturing environment.

Yoga sessions for children with ADHD must be structured differently from those designed for neurotypical children. The foundation of success is routine. Predictable routines provide comfort and safety by helping children know what to expect, what comes next, and what is required of them. This sense of predictability reduces anxiety, supports positive relationships, and allows children to engage more fully.

Start each session with a connection. Children should be greeted using the same personalized welcome ritual every session, allowing them to choose how they are greeted, whether through a fist bump, a yoga pose, or a shared deep breath. This choice builds trust, creates a one-on-one moment, and allows you to check in with the child’s emotional state and energy level.

Before transitioning into breathing and poses, intentional moments of connection help children build social awareness and a sense of belonging. Activities such as mirroring games or holding hands in a circle allow children to attune to one another in a safe, playful way. These moments reinforce the idea that the class is a supportive community.

Simple breathing exercises help children understand the connection between their bodies and their breath. Playful tools, like placing a small object on the belly to watch it rise and fall, make abstract concepts tangible and engaging.

Yoga poses are taught through storytelling, allowing children to learn while moving. For children with ADHD, yoga is not about achieving stillness or perfect poses. It is about noticing their bodies, energy, and breath. Model regulation rather than perfection, emphasizing that wobbling, laughing, and trying again are all part of the process.

Books and sensory storytelling can be woven into your session to reinforce intentions and deepen engagement. Sensory storytelling invites children to experience stories through movement, sound, touch, and visualization using tools such as fans, shakers, scent bottles, or spray bottles. This multi-sensory approach is especially beneficial for children with ADHD, as it sustains attention and connects the body and mind.