12th January 2010
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE
YMCA Tauranga Launches New Programme!
In response to the community need, the YMCA Tauranga is pleased to announce the launch of its Mothers and Preschoolers (MAPS) Programme.
The programme will centre around activities
and needs of the caregiver, their preschooler and their
parenting skills. All activities will have a literacy
flavour with a practical application. Activities include:
cooking healthy and low fat meals, hygiene, health agencies
and their services, budgeting, knowledge of community help
agencies, childcare and support organisations as well as
time gaining computer skills.
The course is aimed primarily at Mothers with preschooler children from all cultures and backgrounds who have literacy needs but fathers and primary caregivers are most welcome. Mothers are the primary educators and influence on children especially in their first few years of life. Increasing the mother’s literacy level and their awareness of literacy opportunities for their preschoolers that are in the home will have a positive effect for everyone.
“There is a clear need to provide programmes to equip parents with greater literacy and numeracy skills as their level of literacy has a huge impact on their children” says Judy Kane, Education Manager for the YMCA. “We need to convince parents of the importance of education and literacy as a crucial part of the development of their child. The better educated the parent, the more they will value education and encourage their children” says Kane.
The programme is free to participants and delivered in small groups one a day a week from 9 am-2 pm, for 20 weeks. Children attend with their parent and the YMCA provides transportation, morning tea, and lunch.
It is a fantastic programme and interest is very strong. The first of four courses starts on 8 February. Please contact maps@ymcatauranga.org.nz or call 579 6534 for more information.
About YMCA
Tauranga
To us, it’s all about showing your
spirit. Ask yourself, when was the last time you showed
yours?
Most people hold tightly onto
theirs, often too shy to release it. Some people let their
spirit run wild, and sometimes have to rein it in- and we
meet tonnes of people who have just never been shown how to
find theirs. You also get the occasional person who reckons
they are just saving their spirit for
later.
At the YMCA we work with people
to help find their spirit, so they can make the most of
their experience and unleash their potential on the world
around
them.
ENDS