TUESDAY TIPS
The Newport County YMCA Virtual Newsletter 
THANK YOU FOR STAYING WITH US
#STAYWITHUS


As we continue to serve the needs of our Community,
please consider donating to our Community Support Campaign

A DAILY WORKOUT PLAN FROM
OUR HEALTHY LIVING DIRECTOR




ADDITIONAL WORK OUT VIDEOS

THE SIX BENEFITS OF PLAY

Play isn't all fun and games, its also an important teaching tool. Through play, kids learn how to interact with one another and develop critical lifelong skills. These six benefits all play an important role in raising well rounded children.
  • Physical: Active play helps kids with coordination, balance, motor skills and spending their natural energy (which promote better eating and sleeping habits).
  • Emotional: During play, kids learn to cope with emotions like fear, frustration, anger, and aggression in a situation they control. They can also practice empathy and understanding.
  • Social: Playing with others helps kids negotiate group dynamics, collaborate, compromise, deal with others feelings, and share - the list goes on.
  • Cognitive: Children learn to think, read, remember, reason, and pay attention through play.
  • Creative: By allowing imaginations to run wild during play, kids create new worlds, and form unique ideas and solutions to challenges.
  • Communication: Play lets kids exchange thoughts, information, or messages speech, signals, writing, or actions.
SWIMMING EXERCISES
 


Can't get in the pool? No worries, here are nine exercises you can do now to improve your swimming when we reopen. 

DINNER WITH THE DIRECTORS: 
SUMMER CAMP GOES VIRTUAL
 

 
Have any questions about summer camp this summer? Want any of your questions answered? Come join our Dinner with the Directors event on our Facebook page and comment any questions you may have, t hen tune in on Thursday, April 2nd at 6:00pm for our live Zoom call! 

Please make sure you RS VP on the Facebook page
HOW TO SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN
DURING THIS TIME


We are missing our OST families! I know that this week begins a new educational journey for your family. To support you during this stressful time, I would like to share a valuable resource. The Child Mind Institute provides sanity saving tools for families struggling with anxiety and stress. I hope the following article is helpful.

Stay Well,

Miss Anne

Support Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis
By Rae Jacobson
Here are tips from the Child Mind Institute's clinicians to help calm fears, manage stress and keep the peace.
  1.  Keep Routines in Place: Experts all agree that setting and sticking to a regular schedule is key, even when you're all at home all day. Kids should get up, eat ad go to bed at their normal times. Consistency and structure are calming during times of stress. Kids, especially younger ones or those who are anxious, benefit from knowing what's going to ha[[en and when. The schedule can mimic a school or day camp schedule, changing activities at predictable intervals, and alternating periods of study and play. It may help to print out a schedule and go over it as a family each morning. Setting a timer will help kids know when activities are about to begin or end. Having regular reminders will help head off meltdowns when it's time to transition from one thing to the next.      
  2. Be Creative about New Activities and Exercise: Incorporate new activities into your routine, like doing a puzzle or having family game time in the evening. Build in activities that help everyone get some exercise ("without contact with other kids or things touched by other kids, like playground equipment). Take a daily family walk or bike ride or do yoga - great ways to let kids burn off energy and make sure everyone is staying active. David Anderson, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, recommends a brainstorming ways to go "back to the 80s," before the time of screen prevalence. "I've been asking parents to think about their favorite activities at summer camp or at home before screens," he says. They often then generate lists of arts and crafts activities, science projects, imaginary games, musical activities, board games, household projects, etc."
  3. Manage your Own Anxiety: It's comppletely understandable to be anxious right now but how we manage that anxiety has a big impact on our kids. Keeping your worries in check will help your whole family navigate this uncertain situation as easily as possible. "Watch out for catastrophic thinking," says Mark Reinecke, PHD, a clinical psychologist with the Child Mind Institue. For example, assuming every cough is a sign you've been infected, or reading news stories that dwell on worst-case scenarios. "Keep a sense of perspective, engage in solution focused thinking and balance this  with mindful acceptance." For those moments when you do catch yourself feeling anxious, try to avoid talking about your concerns within earshot of children. If you're feeling overwhelmed, step away and take a break. That could look like taking a shower or going outside or into another room and taking a few deep breaths.
  4.  Limit Consumption of News: Staying informed is important, but it's a good idea to limit consumption of news and social media that has the potential to feed your anxiety, and that of your kids. Turn the TV off and mute or unfollow friends or co-workers who are prone to sharing panic-inducing posts. Take a social media hiatus or make a point of following accounts that share content that take your mind off the crisis, whether it's about nature, art, baking or crafts.
  5. Stay in Touch Virtually: Keep your support network strong, even when you're only able to call or text friends and family. Socializing plays an important role in regulating your mood and helping you stay grounded. And the same is true for your children. Let kids use social media (within reason) and Skype or FaceTime to stay connected to peers even if they aren't usually allowed to do so. Communication can help kids feel less alone and mitigate some of the stress that comes from being away from friends. Technology can also help younger kids feel closer to relatives or friends they can't be with. My parents video chat with their granddaughter every night and read her a (digital) bedtime story. It's not perfect, but it helps us all feel closer and less stressed.
  6. Make Plans:In the face of events that are scary and largely out of our control, it's important to be proactive about what you can control. Making plans helps you visualize the bear future. How can your kids have virtual play dates? What can your family do that would be fun outside? What are favorite foods you can cook during this time? Make lists that kids can add to. Seeing you problem solve in response to this crisis can be instructive and reassuring for kids. Even better, assign kids tasks that will help them feel that they are part of the plan and making a valuable contribution to the family.
  7. Keep it Positive: Though adults are feeling apprehensive, to most children the words "school's closed" are cause for celebration. "My kid was thrilled when he found out school would be closing," say Rachel Busman, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute. Parents, she says, should validate that feeling of excitement and use it as a springboard to help kids stay calm and happy. let kids know that you're glad they're excited, but make sure they understand that though it may feel like vacations they've had in the past, things will be different this time. For example, Dr. Busman suggests, " It's so cool to have everyone home together. We're going to have good time! Remember, though, we'll still be doing work and sticking to a regular schedule."
  8. Keep Kids in the Loop - but Keep it Simple: "Talking to children in a clear, reasonable way about what's going on is the best way to help them understand," says Dr. Busman. "But remember kids don't need to know every little thing. " Unless kids ask specifically, there's no reason to volunteer information that might worry them. For example, our tow-year old daughter Alice is used to seeing her grandparents regularly, but right now we're keeping our distance to make sure everyone stays safe. When she asks about them, we say: "We won't see Grandma and Grandpa this week, but we will see them soon!" We don't say: We're staying away from Grandma and Grandpa because we could get them sick." Older kids can handle - and expect - more detail, but you should still be thoughtful about what kinds of information you share with them.
  9. Check in with Little Kids: Young children may be oblivious tot he facts of the situation, but they may still feel unsettled by the changes in routine or pick up on the fact that people around them are worried and upset. Plan to check in with younger children periodically and give them the chance to process any worries they may be having. Children who are tantruming more than usual, being defiant, or acting out may be feeling anxious. Pick a calm, undistracted time and gently ask how they're feeling and make sure to respond to outbursts in a calm, consistent, comforting way.
  10. Sometimes the Path of Least Resistance is the Right Path: Remember to be reasonable and kind to yourself. We all want to be our best parenting selves as much as we can, but sometimes that best self is the one that says, "go for it," when a kids asks for more time on the iPad. My daughter is watching Elmo's World - and possibly drawing on the wall - as i write this. That shrill red Muppet is the only reason I'm able to write at all. "we should forgive ourselves the image of perfection that we normally aspire to as parents," says Dr. Anderson. "Maybe your kids don't have TV or screens on the weeknights during the school year, but now that school is cancelled or online, we can give ourselves license to relax these boundaries a bit. We can explain to our kids that this is a unique situation and re-institute boundaries once more when life returns to normal."
  11. Accept and Ask for Help: If you have a partner at home, agree that you'll trade off when it come to childcare. Especially if one or both of you are working from home and have younger children. That way everyone gets a break and some breathing room. Everyone who can pitch in, should. Give kids age appropriate jobs. For example, teens might be able to help mind younger siblings when both parents must work. Most children can set the table, help keep communal spaces clean, do dishes or take out the trash. Even toddlers can learn to pick up their own toys. Working as a team will help you whole family stay busy and make sure no one person (Mom) is overwhelmed. "Be creative and be flexible," says Dr. Busman, "and try not to be hard on yourself. You should find a balance that works for your family. The goal should be to stay sane and stay safe."
NEWPORT COUNTY YMCA GYMNASTICS
 

 
Want to learn more about the Y's Gymnastics Program? This group provides gymnastics inspired; activities to help stay active while schools and other activities are closed. 
Come join our new Facebook group! 



Active Older Adults
(AOA)

EATING HEALTHY

RUN STRONG RECOVER WELL


Newport County & beyond, lets go Virtual! Join the Kilzi's Monday mornings as we go LIVE on ZOOM! Run Strong, Recover Well 7:00am 3/30/2020. Start your Monday off right!

RSRW focuses on running specific exercises to improve your strength and pliability. The class is donation based ($5 suggested donation but by no means required!) Donations benefit financial assistance through our Adapted Program. In 2020 we have raised $610 so far!

Lets get after it! Shout out and thank you Dr. Elizabeth Kilzi & NPT HealthWorks #goingvirtual #runstrongrecoverwell
DO YOU HAVE ANTS 
IN YOUR PANTS?

Here are some Twice as Nice's Favorite songs to get us up and moving when we have the wiggles.
MR. CHRIS' "BUDDIES"

 
Featured in the photo is Mr. Chris and the Buddies Program. Our Adapted Physical Activities department is gearing up for a summer full of swimming, archery, sailing and more. Our APA Buddies program seeks to provide inclusion opportunities wile also allowing for a smaller staff: camper ratio. This program runs in two sections; "Little Buddies" ages 6-12 and "Older Buddies" ages 13+. Mr. Chris will be returning this summer and when asked what he is most excited about he responded, "Spreading time with the campers and helping them enjoy their summer!" If you are interested in learning more about our Summer Buddies Program please contact APA Director Cori Kilzi at corio@newportymca.org.
NEWPORT COUNTY YMCA NINJAZONE
 

 
 Interested in learning more about the Newport County YMCA's Ninjazone classes, come join our new Ninkazone Facebook group.

NCYMCA OUTDOOR CENTER
 

 
Are you already sick and tired of being stuck quarantined in your home? Once the Y opens, you can schedule a group rental! The YMCA provides trained ropes staff, all the gear required, high and low ropes course challenges, and team building activities. To learn more click here or for more information please contact rachelc@newportymca.org.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP
 

 
  1. Many have asked, "How can we help during this time?" We humbly ask that if you could please maintain your current Y membership and registrations with us during this national crisis, it would be greatly appreciated. As a charitable, non-profit organization, your continued support helps us meet our immediate financial obligations.
  2. As the NCYMCA continues to serve the needs of our Community, please consider becoming a Cause-Driven Member by donating to our Community Support Campaign at www.newportymca.org/giving. 
  3. Contact our Development Director at susanp@newportymca.org for more ways you can help.