By DaVonte McKenith / dmckenith@nebraska.tv / Facebook / Twitter @NTVsDavonteM
After a brief warm-up, the kids are ready to go; but, they will have some well-known visitors joining them in the gym.
"We are introducing kids to a new program so we want to be able to develop their motor skills along with the fundamentals. We [also] want the parents to be apart of that," said Ray Longoria, program director at Kearney YMCA.
Teaching the kids how to be active while bettering that family relationship is just one of the reasons why the Kearney YMCA holds the 'Little Tykes, Parent Tot' program. The program is designed to have the family come together and provide good child development.
The children there will participate in different skill levels of gymnastics, tumbling, and coordination. Kids of all ages are able to attend the events. Officials say with the parent involvement, the relationship between child and parent only strengthens.
"I think the YMCA creates that environment where they are able to build that bond and build that relationship that they already had. It only makes it stronger," said Longoria.
If you are planning on attending the event, you are going to be in for a rude awakening if you think its just all fun and games.
"I was thinking it was going to be a normal flipping thing; this running thing is more like cutting through air," said Sam Mason, participant of the event.
But in the end, officials agree that the program will help the children develop better motor, people, and social skills. The program also places a strong impact on the relationships with the people they care about the most.
"In the future, they'll remember that we support what they are doing and [know the fact] that what they are doing is important," said Amie Jorgensen, parent of participating child.
For a complete listing of summer events hosted by the Kearney YMCA, visit here: http://www.kearneyymca.org/PDF/Summer%202012%20Single%20Page-2nd%20Edition.pdf
