Date of Award
Fall 12-16-2021
Document Type
Project (696 or 796 registration)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Special Education
Department
Graduate Studies
Committee Chair
Jed Locquiao
Keywords
Yoga intervention
Abstract
This study explored teaching preschool age students how to use yoga strategies to calm their bodies, reducing the number of times a student demonstrates negative behavior. The fifteen participants were three through five year olds from one of the preschool classrooms at the Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) Early Learning Center. Baseline data was collected for five days, resulting in a determination that four of the students would be considered the subjects for the study, one who received special education services. Additional baseline data was collected for these students for ten days. All fifteen participants and the classroom teachers were instructed in yoga techniques for twenty days. Post-assessment data shows that the students reduced the number of times they each demonstrated the negative behaviors identified for them. Anecdotal data suggests that the students and their teachers found the yoga instruction motivating. However, informal observations reveal that the teachers are not yet generalizing the instruction to all parts of the school day where the techniques could be useful to prevent negative behaviors and dysregulation. This study hopes to encourage future studies on the effects of a school based yoga intervention for students with or without an Individualized Education Plan who struggle with negative behavior.
Recommended Citation
Kadrie, Kristen, "Yoga as a Positive Behavior Intervention" (2021). Dissertations, Theses, and Projects. 590.
https://red.mnstate.edu/thesis/590