The COVID-19 pandemic affected millions of Americans all across the country in a multitude of ways. From massive financial implications to millions of lost jobs and business closures, we have seen a massive shockwave reverberating across the entire country. Through all of this, one portion of our nation has been harder than the rest: Our children.
We’ve all heard about just how important it is to make sure that children hit their developmental milestones, and the isolation caused by the pandemic has been a serious issue. Now that America is finally starting to look like it is on the mend, and with millions of vaccines being distributed every week, we can finally begin looking forward to the great reopening of the nation. With that in mind, now is the perfect time to begin signing your children up for teambuilding sports and activities at your local YMCA. Contact your local Greater Miami Valley YMCA to see what sports and programs you can sign up for today.
Unprecedented Isolation
We have all felt the effects of COVID-19 and the extreme isolation that has come along with it. For children, this upheaval from normal life could have much more far-reaching implications than we see in adults, as habits formed during quarantine can be difficult to break. It is extremely important to take the proper steps now that vaccines are beginning to take root in earnest to break these potentially dangerous cycles before they manifest into anti-social behaviors. It is estimated that it takes at least 2-3 months to fully break the cycle of learned behaviors, so it is extremely important that you pay attention to your children, listen to their needs, and actively engage with them to figure out the best ways to help them thrive. We recommend using an “Unplug And Play” mentality, breaking your children away from screens and technology whenever possible to help their brains grow and recover from the day.
What Team Sports Do For Children
This summer could very well be one of the most important and formative times of your child’s life. With school getting out and the future of the next couple of months still very much hanging in the balance, this summer could be a serious crossroads for your child’s mental and physical health. Experts across the country are recommending that you get your child out of the house, out of their comfort zone, and back into physical team sports. Team sports not only help your child develop fine motor skills, they also teach extremely important social cues and processes that will reach far into their adulthood. As parents and as Americans, we owe it to our children to help them get back to the normal and fun lives that they deserve. That choice begins by re-enrolling your children in team sports in your local community.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help your children break out of the potentially dangerous cycles caused by quarantine, come into your local YMCA today. Our team will help your children get integrated back into normal life through play, group activities, and physical fitness.