YMCA of Northern Alberta
10211 105 St NW T5J 1E3 Edmonton, AB, Canada

Do you want to build a snowman? Your YMCA Child Care Team knows how popular snowman building is in both outdoor play and the art that we create during the winter months. With that said, your children can create different snowmen using simple items like cotton balls, cut out paper shapes, and buttons. Not all snowmen are the same height, so encourage them to make them as tall or as short as they can! Once many snowmen have been created, you can talk with your child about thei...r heights and compare them to one another, and as your child grows, you too can measure their different heights. "Understanding measurement is closely bound with conservation of number. It emerges slowly out of experiences with comparison of sets. This group has more than that one. Toddlers continually explore measurement and quantity through their play by filling and emptying containers with water or sand. Further mathematical vocabulary, such as "big," "small," "fast," "slow" and "heavy," emerges through this play. In the preschool years, the child's experiences with measurement involve non-standard measures. Children should be encouraged to use the language of comparison throughout their play." (Martin and Huggins, YMCA Playing to Learn, 2015)

While you can't head to the gym for a workout or swim, you can still look after your health at home. Learning how to become and stay healthy are important parts of our lives, and while our centres are closed, we're still here to help you virtually: http://ow.ly/lZXd50COMCx.

Sure, it's a little brisk outside, but we need to go for a walk from time to time. Clear your head, let your kids play in the backyard and bundle up for some outdoor fun! Here's why you should go outdoors today: http://ow.ly/Mwbb50CMlui.

Start your new year with new and healthy food ideas! Thanks to the Edmonton Community Foundation's COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, you can find quick and easy meals like this breakfast taco recipe: https://youtu.be/aiUJMIWMfXk.

It’s at times like these that the YMCA remains deeply committed to doing what we do best: creating communities where everyone can connect, belong and thrive. Not only can you support people here in the Edmonton region, but together we can also help our friends at YMCA Bogotá. Make your local or international gift to the YMCA by visiting northernalberta.ymca.ca/give. #YGivingIsBetter

You can now visit the Don Wheaton Family YMCA until 8pm on weekdays! If you need more motivation to get a workout in today, our William Lutsky and Jamie Platz Family YMCAs are open late during the week as well. Visit northernalberta.ymca.ca/HFAFAQ for more information on how we can keep our community safe together.

Who doesn’t love to take a big sheet of bubble wrap and pop the bubbles? Today’s YMCA Child Care activity will not only help work on your child’s letter recognition, but it will also bring the fun of popping bubbles on a sheet of bubble wrap! Here's what you'll need: Bubble wrap Different coloured felt markers Directions:... 1. On the backside of a piece of bubble wrap, write both the lowercase and uppercase letters of the alphabet. 2. Either spread the bubble wrap out on a table or, using some painter's tape, attach it to the wall at your child’s level. 3. Once the bubble wrap is in place, call out either upper or lowercase and have your child search for the letter. Once found, have them pop it and then repeat the process. Discrimination is the skill that allows the reader to know which features of print affect the meaning (often referred to as the concept of print). This involves distinguishing letters, words and other language symbols (such as mathematical signs), as well as an appreciation for how books works as distinct from other objects. (YMCA Playing to Learn, Martin and Huggins, 2015)

What does peace mean to you? Social justice, Freedom and kindness are just some of the words that come to mind for our Y family. This YMCA Peace Week, we challenge you to act for peace. Whether it's through a small act of kindness or just checking in on your neighbour, anything can help bring peace to your community.

Canadian youth need support, and they want youth-serving agencies to help them, but we can't do it alone. Despite economic uncertainty, world wars and global pandemics, our Y has always helped people grow and thrive over the last 113 years. Today, we need your help. Whether you register for a YMCA program or service, or give to YMCA Giving at northernalberta.ymca.ca/Give to support your community directly, or talk to your MLA or MP about sector stabilization, it will make all the difference.

YMCA at Home's YWell series brings mental health supports to your home, with videos for a variety of levels. In this session, Bonnie is taking us on a nature walk to help us be in the present moment by connecting with our senses. Visit https://youtu.be/-76AKjKrFcM for today's video!

If you're looking for a virtual baking class, look no further! For just $10, you can virtually join us to create some delicious holiday treats on November 28 and December 5. Call 7804269265 or visit http://ow.ly/3Jcd50Ch6w3 to register!

We're reminded this YMCA Peace Week that community is needed more than ever before, so connect with your neighbours, family and friends, virtually. Building and strengthening community connections and capacity is a big part of how the YMCA is building peace. Together, we can act for peace.

Lower-back pain can make us uncomfortable and hesitant to continue working out. If you're an avid gym user, you know how important it is to listen to your body while exercising. While the lower-back pain might be uncomfortable, you might be able to continue your workout by making some changes like these: http://ow.ly/r7Ls50Csv4g.

Tabata with Jasmyne

Let's get a sweat going this morning in Amy's Cardio Kickboxing class! You don't even need anything for today's workout. Let's get moving!