The Influence of Age, Education, and Maternal Work on Mother's Knowledge of Children's Yoga in Toddlers Aged 3-4 Years at Brangsong and Kaliwungu Health Centers, Kendal Regency

Early childhood growth, particularly among children aged 3–4 years, demonstrated significant disparities between developed and developing countries. The prevalence of stunting in developing nations among this age group reached 26%, compared to only 6% in developed countries. These differences were linked to nutritional factors, developmental stimulation, and family involvement. Growth disorders in early childhood were associated with long-term risks such as impaired cognitive development, motor delays, and emotional problems. Several studies proposed alternative approaches to support optimal child growth, including structured physical activities like yoga. Children's yoga was found to improve balance, flexibility, and emotional regulation. Nevertheless, the effectiveness and safety of yoga for toddlers aged 3–4 remained controversial, especially due to the risk of fatigue or joint strain if not age-appropriate. This study was conducted at Brangsong and Kaliwungu Community Health Centers (Puskesmas), Kendal District, Indonesia. A total of 80 mothers with children aged 3–4 years participated. Data collection was carried out in August 2025 using a self-administered semi-open questionnaire. The instrument had been previously tested for validity and reliability with 20 mothers from Kendal Health Center, yielding valid and reliable results. Respondents were selected using accidental non-random sampling, with inclusion criteria including mothers of children aged 3–4 years who consented to participate and allowed their child’s height to be measured. Data analysis using Pearson’s correlation revealed a significant relationship between maternal age and knowledge of children's yoga, as well as a highly significant relationship between maternal education and knowledge of yoga. However, no significant relationship was found between maternal employment status and knowledge of yoga. This study provided insights into how maternal characteristics, particularly age and education, influenced knowledge about non-pharmacological interventions such as yoga to support early childhood growth. The findings highlighted the potential for integrating family-based yoga education into primary health care programs for improving child development outcomes