Redlands' YMCA Healthy Kids Day

REDLANDS >> On Saturday, April 30, the Redlands YMCA held a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This year marked the 25th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. This community event featured activities such as games, healthy cooking demonstrations, and crafts to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home. The YMCA of the East Valley wanted children across the community to be inspired to create habits they will continue all summer long, which can be a critical time for kids’ health. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and are twice as likely to gain weight. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day was a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days. Instead, the Y hoped to focus on wowing them with their potential to make this their best summer ever by staying active and learning. “The Y believes in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find the Wow! factor inside themselves. A child’s development is never on vacation and Healthy Kids Day is a great opportunity to educate families and motivate kids to stay active in spirit, mind, and body throughout the summer,” said Perry Mecate, Vice President of Operations at the YMCA of the East Valley. In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y also offered the following tips to help families develop healthy habits together: •High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings a day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend to maintain healthy childhood development. And to keep kids’ taste buds evolving, have everyone in the family try at least one bite of a new fruit or vegetable at least once a month. •Foster an Early and Ongoing Passion for Books – Read to and with your kids. Help children read at every age and every stage of their development. •Team Up for Athletic Events – Set a family goal of great health by teaming up for community or charity events like races, walks, fun runs, bike rides, etc. •Volunteer Together – Find a cause that matters to the kids. Open their eyes to a world beyond themselves and the rich rewards that come from making a difference. •Make sleep a priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, learning, and other vital functions. For more information, contact the Redlands YMCA at 909-798-9622 or visit www.ymcaeastvalley.org.