Laughter Yoga for School Children
Researchers tell us that children laugh more than 300-400 times a day during play with their friends, but unfortunately it has all changed now. Today, they are subjected to enormous stress due to academic pressure. Play and physical activity is restricted, new stresses are imposed, adult behavior is demanded at very early age, group play and child-to-child interaction is being replaced with electronic games and remote communication devices. There is a growing awareness of several benefits of laughter and many schools in India and other parts of the world are incorporating laughter yoga as a part of curriculum.
Benefits of Laughter Yoga for school children:
Developing emotional intelligence:
Modern studies show children develop emotional intelligence through laughter and play. Those who don’t play enough in their childhood grow up emotionally unbalanced and find it difficult to maintain their relationship with people. Laughter Yoga encourages children to physically play and express themselves fully. Child-like playful behavior is the key to the development of emotional intelligence.
Increases academic performance:
Our brain requires 25% more oxygen as compared to other organs. Laughter exercises flushes the lungs of stale residual air improving oxygenation. This helps in better concentration power, increases the learning ability and helps to enhance academic performance.
Improving concentration and attention span:
Studies show a huge leap in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with this disorder are extremely hyperactive and find it difficult to concentrate for even short periods. They act on impulse and often appear to have no sense of danger. LY exercises help to reduce stress and anxiety for children with ADHD. It helps them to improve their concentration and focus.
Handling stress and boosting their immune system:
Children often suffer from frequent sore throats, tonsillitis and upper respiratory infections due to stress and weak immunity. As they learn to laugh unconditionally, they become adept at handling pressure as it boosts their immune system. Laughter Yoga also reduces absenteeism and sick leave.
Builds physical stamina for sports: Builds physical stamina for sports.
Laughter Yoga as curriculum in school
With growing awareness of the several benefits of laughter, many schools are incorporating Laughter Yoga as part of their curriculum. Several high school books have chapters on Laughter Yoga. For example, the 10th standard Centre Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) English course book (India, Middle East), Japanese high school book “Pow Pow” and the Language course book at Cambridge University has a chapter on origins and benefits of Laughter Yoga.
Do you want to introduce Laughter Yoga into your school? We’ve developed different Laughter Yoga exercises for kindergarten through to 10th standard students. Laughter Yoga is a very economical addition to any school or educational institution. Training costs are low and the only major investment is time. Because Laughter Yoga is fun, it is welcomed and enjoyed by students and staff.
3 Models of Laughter Yoga Programs in Schools
Group Laughter Yoga: Many schools in India and other parts of the world have 5-minute laughter yoga sessions during morning assembly. The impact of laughter yoga practice is profound due to the large number of students. One can see a significant change in the energy level of the children, which lasts throughout the day.
Laughter Yoga in Classrooms: School teachers can use a few minutes of laughter yoga practice before or after class to break the ice. It can also be done before children go home for 5 minutes. Parents say that their children always come home laughing and smiling.
Laughter Yoga Classrooms: In India and Malaysia, we have set up special laughter yoga classrooms where students of different grades are invited to participate in 30-minute sessions. We teach them the basics of the laughter yoga method, brain fitness exercises and how to incorporate singing, dancing and laughter in the class.
Source: Laughter Yoga Int'l.
