Seaford Kindergartners Use Yoga To Learn 'ABCs'

SEAFORD, NY — Seaford kindergartners are combining yoga with literacy exercises to learn their "ABCs."

Brooke DeSanto, teacher at Seaford Harbor Elementary School, has her students exercise to prime their brains for learning. Each day, class begins with alphabet yoga, allowing kids to stretch and develop their literacy skills as they learn letters, sounds and new vocabulary words.

DeSanto chooses a different letter every day and the children strike a pose based on a word that starts with that letter. So for "A," they stuck their arms straight out like the wings of an airplane.

Writer's workshop is a part of the afternoon routine and helps students get their minds ready for learning after lunch and recess.

DeSanto also leads her students through breathing exercises. She strikes a bell three times to help them relax and students can take either a bunny breath — fast paced and energetic — or a snake breath — slow and calming. The choice is up to them based on their individual preferences, she said.