Corangamite Shire Council introduces ‘Young Active Kids’ program

Corangamite Shire Council has introduced the YAK program: Young Active Kids – a reinvigoration of the ‘Ed Gym’ program, as a means to encourage more participation and get children active.

Educational gymnastic assistants Brenda Kent and Kerrie Storer will present the YAK program which will pick up where Ed Gym left off, with new times and fun activities where children can enjoy making new friends. The program was developed after a survey of families last year and the arrival of the three-year-old kindergarten program.

Corangamite Shire Council Sport and Recreation Co-ordinator Jane Hinds said a review of the service had considered other programs in the community, delivery structure, days offered and developmental outcomes for the children.

Hinds notes “we have reinvigorated the Ed Gym program to invite more participation and get children active, which is essential for a child’s growth and development. Active kids are healthy kids and YAK aims to help them build healthy habits for life.

“It’s also an opportunity to mix with other children and have fun playing together while they gain social and physical skills.”

Hinds thanked the former Ed Gym team, in particular Maz O’Neil, for their work adding “they did some great work with the kids and I’m sure they will be missed. Maz had been with us for almost a decade. We wish them well in their new endeavours.

“Our new staff members—Kerrie and Brenda—will provide an exciting, fun-filled and challenging experience for all participants.”

Kerrie Storer is a qualified Early Years Educator who worked in childcare for five years before concentrating on raising her own children.

Storer advised “we will be a little more structured with more group times with songs, activities and games, while still keeping it fun for the kids.

“Each week we'll have a different theme. The songs we do and the group time activities we do will be related to that theme.

“We're hoping for a bit more parental involvement and an opportunity for parents to meet each other. There are a lot of new people in town that don’t know each other It's great for them.”

Brenda Kent has been a gymnastics coach for 38 years. She said YAK catered to children's developmental needs and highlighted "we'll start with a meet and greet then set the theme with some music. Then they will go out and do the circuit that we've set up. We’re really keen for each session to have a purpose—not just playing on the equipment but actually working on their developmental needs."

The team have bought some new equipment, toys and musical instruments, particularly to help younger children up to 18 months who are not as mobile but are still developing their manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

YAK features a range of opportunities for pre-school aged children including:

• developing fine and gross motor skills

• play and socialisation

• fun and independence

• curiosity

• a safe environment; and

• achieving at own level 

YAK will start in Term 3 and will be offered during the school terms as follows:

• Camperdown Theatre Royal, Monday 10 am

• Terang Stadium, Tuesday 10 am.

Image: YAK program Brenda Kent and Kerrie Storer