We all need time to unwind - even children

I have been somewhat bemused at the interest the press has taken in our efforts to introduce yoga and mindfulness with the children across the whole of LEYF. Interviews with the BBC and various radio shows have moved presenters from initial doubt to the complete acceptance that small children not only cope with quiet time but actually benefit from it.

The idea of yoga came to me after the first Westminster terrorist attack. As London nurseries we have been through our fair share of incidents including the Edgware Road attack and the second Westminster incident this week. I wondered about helping children to find ways of coping with additional stress. They are already living quite a stressed life, travelling to and from nursery, busy homes, noisy surroundings and then the stress of being in nursery often for 10 hours. This isn't a criticism of anyone or anything, it's just a fact. While adults can relieve their transport pain, (and believe me as a Southern customer, I know all about the stress of travelling on crowded and unreliable trains) by having a cup of tea and regaling the office or twitter or whoever will listen to our transport woes, children do not have the same means of expressing their tensions and feelings of negative stress.