Sunday, April 25, 2010

“YMCA hosts Healthy Kids Day” plus 3 more

“YMCA hosts Healthy Kids Day” plus 3 more

YMCA hosts Healthy Kids Day

Posted: 24 Apr 2010 11:49 PM PDT

Nearly 200 adults and children attended Saturday's Healthy Kids Day at the Yuma Family YMCA.

The event highlighted ways for youngsters to stay healthy through exercise and proper hygiene and offered up several hands-on activities and games.

Healthy Kids Day was celebrated across the country at more than 1,700 YMCAs this weekend and last weekend. Last year, more than 700,000 people participated in YMCA Healthy Kids Day events nationwide, enjoying games, demonstrations, arts and crafts, educational resources, healthy treats, giveaways and more.

"This is an activity to make kids aware  play is fun and good," said Nancy Winchip, executive director of YMCA of Yuma.

"We have other agencies here as well to show that a healthy kid has good teeth and good hygiene. Our food today is water with healthy snacks so the kids can get an idea of what being a healthy kid is all about."

The event featured Zumba for Kids, Kids Boot Camp, a bounce house, an obstacle course and a demonstration by the karate class taught at the local YMCA.

"We want the kids to live healthier," Winchip said. "We don't have any electronics here. It is all having fun with your family through physical activities. They have choices, too. Some of the kids like karate or dance or running or bouncing and this gives them an idea of what they like to do."

Francisco "Taco" Aguilar, who teaches the karate class at YMCA, believes making fitness fun is the key for success.

"When you make it fun, they enjoy it and are going to keep doing it. When they start younger, it becomes a daily routine and not a burden. They get used to it when they are young, and when it's an everyday thing then it is for life. Physical activity is a lifelong, never-ending, self-empowering story."

Teaching children healthy living habits is essential and will show them how to be healthier adults, said Winchip.

"That is a statistic that is proven down the road. If it is instilled in them, they will be happier and healthier and a little more resilient toward the other behaviors that might be negative instead of positive."

Winchip said childhood obesity can be prevented if kids are taught properly about exercise.

"It is a big problem here in Yuma, especially with some of the kids not always having P.E. They need to know play is good. Put play in your day and get outside. If the parents are doing it, the kids will do it, too."

Aguilar agrees parents need to get involved.

"I encourage parents to take karate with their kids, and it is enjoyable to watch the kids learn something physical. It doesn't have to be karate, it can be any sport because it sets them up for life. As long as they do it two to three times a week. It's got to be an enjoyable routine, and you've got to be outside."

YMCA is accepting enrollment for several physical classes this summer open to all ages. For more information, call  317-0522 or log on to www.valleyymca.org.

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YMCA TIPS TO KEEP KIDS HEALTHY

• Make physical activity a regular part of family play time – the more active kids are, the more likely they are to continue being physically active later in life.

• Allow kids to have unstructured playtime. All play is not created equal – kids need different types of play, including indoor and outdoor, active and inactive.

• Reintroduce your kid to the basics of active play. Play hopscotch or basketball, jump rope or enjoy games such as "Red Light, Green Light" and "Simon Says."

• Limit screen time and use of electronic media to allow more time for play.

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iPhone gambling apps for kids should be banned

Posted: 25 Apr 2010 07:04 AM PDT

iPhone applications which allow young children to play simulated poker machine games were irresponsible and should be outlawed, Senator Nick Xenophon says.

Numerous 'slot' machines applications, some backed by gaming giants like Harrah's Casino Hotels, can be downloaded for free and are identical in payouts and features to machines in clubs, pubs and casinos.

Senator Xenophon said he did not know the games existed until alerted to their availability by AAP.

"It's irresponsible to allow these applications in the hands of children," Senator Xenophon said.

"We already have a big enough gambling problem in this country and there is no doubt this will fuel gambling addiction.

"Kids can become poker machines experts years before they are legally allowed to set eyes on a real machine."

Some of the applications are recommended for 12-year-olds and upwards, while others offer no minimum age suggestions.

One game allows the user to change the interface and use photographs on their iPhone as the jackpot symbols.

Users can also switch between five and six reels, and alter the success of the payouts from low, medium or 'dream'.

"The use of money, albeit fantasy, drills home a false impression that poker machines can be a source of money or income," Senator Xenophon said.

"Having a recommended age description of 12 is totally inadequate.

"This is a training application for kids to lose real money when they turn 18."

He said he would raise the matter in Canberra and called on the federal government to have an inquiry into gambling and outlaw gambling games for children.

"There needs to be a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling laws because otherwise we will see a new wave of problem gamblers as soon as these kids turn 18," Senator Xenophon said.

"This is a conditioning application and the poker machine industry will be cracking open champagne bottles with this application.

"It's not only promoting poker machines its conditioning people to use them.

"There's enough evidence out there for to protect kids from these applications."

One application is produced by Big Fish games, which is based in Seattle, Washington, and also sells and promotes a downloadable version of the game online which carries no gambling warnings.

Big Fish games have been contacted for comment.

AAP

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A day for the kids

Posted: 25 Apr 2010 06:36 AM PDT

Silvino Cruz remembers celebrating el Día del Niño - Kids' Day - when he was schoolboy in Mexico.

Saturday, in Hanover, he had the chance to bring his own two children, 4-year-old twins Jenny and Alexander, to continue the traditional celebration at Kids' Day, at the Hanover Area Family YMCA.

Sponsored by the Hispanic American Center of Hanover, the fourth-annual celebration was full of fun activities, entertainment and prizes for families.

Despite the threatening rain clouds Saturday morning, flashes of color emerged from behind the YMCA building on George Street as dancers from Grupo San José stepped and twirled to traditional Mexican music.

Jenny and Alexander eagerly put on the free plastic firefighter hats from the Hanover Fire Department, which had brought an engine for the children to see.

"We come every year for the children, they have so much fun," Cruz said, in Spanish. "I remember celebrating when I was in school."

The traditional Día del Niño is celebrated in Mexico and Central America on April 30. Schools have parties with food, candies, games and rides. Community parks, organizations and businesses put on special events for children, including games, treats, bolos (bags full of candy) and other activities. Churches in the area take advantage of the holiday to celebrate children as well.

And from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Hanover got to see a little bit of Hispanic culture.

Hanover Mayor Ben Adams was on hand to make a

statement about the importance of children, dedicating the day to the community's youth.

Families received a bingo card and as they went around each of the 24 stations set up by local businesses, they received tickets that could be used to redeem prizes like candy and toys for the kids. There was a train ride for the kids - most of whom had balloons tied to their wrists - and smiles on their faces.

"We have more local businesses than ever this year," said Mirna Wildasin, the associated director of the Hispanic American Center. The booths provided activities, like hula hoops, and information about local services like the YMCA.

Entertainment included the traditional Mexican dancers, a Hanover Mariachi band, piñatas and clowns. Traditional Mexican food - refried beans, tortillas, chicken, pork and tres leches (three milk) cake - were served.

While the festival is based on the Hispanic day of celebration, the organization aims to bring both the Latino and non-Latino cultures of the community together, Wildasin said.

"We try to integrate as much as possible," she said. So, they sent flyers out to the Hanover schools and encouraged those associated with the center to attend.

Sheila Krug, of Hanover, was there with her grandchildren, who had received the flyer from Baresville Elementary School.

"It seemed like a fun thing to do," she said. "We've never been before."

The history behind el Dia del Niño

The celebration originated in 1925 when the World Conference for the Well-Being of Children held in Geneva, Switzerland, decided to set aside one day each year to celebrate children. The members of the conference hoped adults would make a stronger effort to make educated, positive, nurturing choices when it comes to the well-being of their own children.




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Healthy Kids Day helps put youths, parents on course

Posted: 25 Apr 2010 02:04 AM PDT

Daniel Santiago took a few swings in front of a net, got the velocity of his pitches measured by a radar gun, skipped rope, and jumped around in the bounce houses.

It was a lot different than his usual weekend afternoons. Usually the 11-year old stays indoors; he's got some good video games, he said.

But on Saturday, Daniel and more than 100 other children ventured to Don Samuel Torres Park for a day of baseball, sack racing, jump rope and Zumba, a dance fitness program that incorporates Latin music.

Hosted by the Ibero-American Action League's Promotores de Salud, the "Healthy Kids Day" was created to raise awareness in the community about healthy weight and diet, while placing an emphasis on educating children about the importance of staying active.

"You don't see any grill around or anything," said Elisa DeJesus, vice president of family services for Ibero. "No hamburgers, no fatty foods or anything. We're giving fruits and juice and water and some very low-calorie snacks."

While kids played around on the baseball fields and jumped in the inflatable bounce houses, Ibero officials were signing up their parents and siblings for the Promotores de Salud healthy weight classes. The classes are free, but had generally low enrollments, said Maribel Torres, director of Promotores de Salud.

Saturday's event prompted more families to sign up.

"Kids can learn how important it is to be outside and playing, not inside and playing with Nintendo," said Torres.

The path to good health starts with just a few small things, like eating less fast food and fried food and playing outdoors more often, said DeJesus. If kids can develop these habits at a young age, it's easier to maintain them as they grow older.

"We're letting both kids and the parents know," said DeJesus. "Obesity, in our community and for children in the schools, is very concerning."

SDOBBIN@DemocratandChronicle.com

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