By Catherine Hansen

TYH: New Program Helps Keep Kids Active

Oct 24, 2017 | 7:45 PM

Young children are taught to read and write, but what about physical literacy? On today’s To Your Health, Catherine Hansen has more on a new program designed to give young children the chance to develop the skills they need to live an active lifestyle.

(Announcer:) And now, “To Your Health”. Brought to you by Hart Drugs, Third Avenue Pharmacy and the Phoenix Pharmacy.

(Reporter Catherine Hansen:) It’s a typical Thursday morning at the local YMCA, and important skills are being taight to this group of pre schoolers. They are a part of the Y Move Program, helping them develop physical literacy.

(Samantha Pratt – Program Supervisor:) “It really is one of those fundamentals and it can be seen in the same way as literacy is. You have your ABC’s, you put them into words, you put those words into sentences. And with our physical literacy skills, we give you the fundamental skills, you put them into combinations and after that, you are ready to complete more compex tasks like sports.”

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(Hansen:) Typical activities include games that get kids balancing, jumping, falling, running, hopping, skipping and rolling. Children progress through levels of skill development, similar to swim lessons – always working on their own pace.

(Pratt:) “Basically, all of our skills are broken down into progression so they all practice the same skills.  So, for running for example, we would start off moving your arms on the spot, or moving your arms and legs on the spot, and then you’re moving forward, and then in different directions. So each skill is broken down into a progression that’s developmentally appropriate for that level.”

(Hansen:) And it’s all in good fun, as participants develop favourites.

(Child:) “Um, I like tag.”

(Hansen:) “And what do you like about tag?”

(Child:) “Because you get to tag people!”

(Hansen:) Physical literacy contributes to a child’s desire and ability to participate in any kind of physical activity or play, not just in high performance sport.  The Y Move Program is specifically for kids aged 3 to 9.

(Pratt:) “The idea of Y Move is that we have 10 levels that are developmentally appropriate for the kids, and rather than being split up by age, they are split up bywhat is emotionally, developmentally, and physically ready for where they’re at.”

(Hansen:) It is hoped the participants in the drop in classes develop confidence, competence, and motivation to participate in any kind of physical activity resulting in both better health and social outcomes. To Your Health, Catherine Hansen, CKPG News.