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active life
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Playing leads to healthy lifestyle
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PLAY AND LEARN offered through parks and rec department. BY KARL YU
A
THE NEWS BULLETIN
n active lifestyle is said to be a healthy lifestyle and the City of Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Environment’s Play and Learn program can instil that in children. The program is for three- to five-year-olds and affords them the opportunity to avoid being sedentary, take part in a number of activities and eat healthy. Introducing those habits now are beneficial in the long run and health issues, such as obesity and diabetes can be curbed, according to Tracy Stuart, city recreation coordinator. “For young kids, we know that play is often synonymous for what adults [call] active living,” said Stuart. “That’s their component to really develop their skills in terms of movement and play for later in life. So the Play and Learn program is an ideal situation for that young age group.” The program is offered at Bowen Park, Beban Park, Oliver Woods and Kin Hut at Departure Bay beach and activities consist various forms of play, arts, crafts and music. In terms of the Kin Hut location, there are also additional activities available, according to Play and Learn instructor Bev Short. “During the spring and summer, whenever the weather’s nice, one of the benefits of Kin Hut is the park is just right outside the door, plus [past] the front door, we’ve got the beach,
KARL YU/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Led by instructors Angela Bipond, second left, and Bev Short, Rebecca, left, Manuella and Mia attend a Play and Learn session at Kin Hut at Departure Bay beach. The Play and Learn program encourages children to be active.
so we use that during the spring and summer and as a special bonus to this program, we go over to Departure Bay gym once a month and just go crazy – it’s wonderful,” Short said. Nature study, searching for sea shells, building sandcastles and picnics are some of the things in store for Kin Hut Play and Learn participants. Each session is two hours and can run up to five days a week, depending on location, with
morning and afternoon sessions available. The program runs monthly from September to June and costs $104 a month, with payment plans available for parents wanting to enrol their children for multiple months. “We do register by the month and generally people try and register September to June but there is, in the next few months, March, April, May, June, there are a few spots in various locations so it’s a matter of just
checking in to see where you might be able to find a space,” said Stuart. “Generally people like to have some consistency with the kids, so if they register they tend to try and want September to June but you can register for only one month or pick and choose months,” she said. For more information, please call 250-756-5200 or visit www. nanaimo.ca. reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
Nanaimo News Bulletin 30
Passion helps fuel activities BY TAMMY TOOR Passion – it’s a word I have been thinking a lot about lately. I heard it mentioned from athletes at the Sochi Olympics, I felt it from the winners of the Oscars as they delivered their acceptance speeches, and I saw it on the faces of the musicians at a concert I attended recently. I’ve always admired people who have found their passion in life. Some people seem to be been born with it while others find it after trying and experiencing many things. According to a definition I found, passion is a “strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something.” I have to admit that I have sometimes envied those people who are passionate because I have never thought of myself as a person with a passion. I have come to realize, however, that I do have passion. The difference perhaps is that mine is not focused in a single area. See ‘PROGRAMS’ /31
REGISTER NOW for your Spring and Summer Programs! *Summer Daycamps * Swimming & Skating Lessons * Cooking * Dancing * Arts & Crafts * First Aid * Sports & Outdoors * Fitness & Wellness * Language/Music · 250-756-5200 · www.nanaimo.ca · ireg.nanaimo.ca