Getting Active and Adopting Healthy Habits

A new YMCA study reveals 37% of Southern Ontario parents with children under six describe their kids as behind in one or more key developmental area - social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical. The research revealed parents experienced the following challenges when it comes to raising their children: 

• 67% of parents reported it’s hard to find enough quality time with their kids 
• 70% would like more information about services and programs for pre-school-aged children 
• 59% are unsure what information is best for their kids
• 20% were uncertain about what developmental milestones they should look for in the first five years

Since 90% of kids in the GTA are not getting enough physical activity, YMCA is developing a variety of initiatives to address this issue and help support families. More than 11,000 children at YMCA child care centres and local schools in the GTA will take the YMCA Kids Challenge to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity for kids. Together, they have a goal of raising $150,000 to help more kids get healthy and active at the Y. The kids will kick off the challenge with a walk around their neighbourhood, which leads into a week long Healthy Kids Challenge. The Y invites all families to get moving regardless of Y membership by using a series of activities that can be downloaded online.

Celebrate your Healthy Kids Challenge accomplishments by going to the Healthy Kids Day on June 1, when YMCAs across Canada will open their doors for a free day of fun activities to encourage families to get active. 

• Activities will differ at each YMCA, and are free for everyone including free gym time, arts and crafts, family fitness classes, bouncy castles, parent resources, bike tune up clinics, appearances from TVO personalities and more.
• Enter a contest to win a free week at a YMCA Day Camp 
• Sign up for a membership on this day and get your joining fee waived savings up to $120 

If you are not able to attend on June 1, but still interested getting active follow @YMCAGTA and help share their messages about the benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle with the hashtag #YHealthyKids.

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