YMCA program focuses on healthy life choices
By Davy James, Staff Writer
The South Brunswick Family YMCA’s mission is to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Through a new after-school program sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, YMCA staff members are hoping the kids in their program remain strong as they get older and are confronted with difficult decisions.
The Footprints for Life program uses age-appropriate materials to empower children in grades K-5 to teach them about coping skills, taking responsibility for your own actions, learning about good and bad decisions and teaching about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
”It’s amazing when the presentations are going on because you can hear a pin drop, it’s so quiet,” said Rose Morris, YMCA director of youth and family services. “The kids really love it and they’re learning a lot.”
There are three groups: kindergartners and first-graders, second- and third-graders, and fourth- and fifth-graders. The program uses puppet shows to get the message to the younger kids and a multimedia presentation to appeal to the older kids.
”Our program for the older students is more discussion based and looks at things that will keep them engaged,” said NCADD Preventionist Heather Ward. “The entire program opens the kids’ minds and lets them know that they can say no to things. It lets them know that not all of their friends are going to try cigarettes and drink at parties. That they can make their own decisions.”
In one of the presentations, the kids were each handed one kernel of popcorn to hold in their hands, then after a short period of time the kids were told to eat the kernel.
”Of course the kids wanted more popcorn because you can’t eat just one kernel of popcorn,” Ms. Morris said. “Then they told the kids that is what it’s like if you’re a smoker, because that’s how someone who smokes feels when they want another cigarette. They crave for another one and that got the kids to appreciate how smoking becomes a bad habit.”
The children also learn how to better understand their peers and their parents while also focusing on developing communication skills. The overall goal is to empower the kids to face peer pressure and difficult situations when they get older.
”If it’s not going to stop them from trying these things altogether then at least we hope it delays them from trying it,” Ms. Ward said. “Instead of trying a cigarette or alcohol in high school, then maybe they wait until college. And by then, maybe they’re not interested anymore.”
Ms. Ward said that something as simple as a message from the kids’ favorite puppet may have an impact years down the line.
”If all they remember is what their favorite puppet told them about how to cope with a situation that’s beyond their control then that’s great if nothing else,” Ms. Ward said. “We want to give them the tools they need to handle these situations.”