YMCA Learning Environments: Enhancing Child Development
When children participate in high-quality early childhood education, they are given a strong foundation for lifelong learning. At the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, we provide a nurturing environment in which children engage in age-appropriate activities that encourage them to explore, create, and grow. In this safe space, children develop into confident, eager learners, thriving socially and intellectually. We believe that investing in our children by enhancing child development promotes a bright future, not only for our youngest learners but also for our community.
Promoting Child Development Through Play
The importance of educational play activities cannot be overstated. Play is the work of childhood, and that is how children learn. In fact, play is so important to child development that the United Nations recognizes it as a basic human right for every child. When children play, they develop their brains by using their senses and engaging their curiosity, and developing their bodies through physical activity. A large body of research underscores the importance of play, as it helps children’s bodies, brains, and social and emotional skills. When children use their imaginations to pretend, they are developing critical thinking skills, learning about cause and effect, and building memory skills. When they engage in active play, they strengthen their large muscles and improve their balance and coordination. When they play with their hands, using modeling clay, doing puzzles, and learning skills like cutting paper or drawing, they develop their fine motor skills. As they play with other children, they are not just learning how to move through the world and interact with others, but they are developing language skills by talking about what they are doing and sharing their thoughts and ideas.
YMCA: Play and Learn
At YMCA Child Care Centers, children enjoy a calm environment in which they can play and learn. We are committed to providing children with healthy and safe places to learn and play, and to building healthy, confident, connected children, families, and communities. In our child development centers, we use The Creative Curriculum, the top-ranking preschool curriculum, which helps nurture children holistically from birth to age 8. This research-based approach to education uses play-based, hands-on learning that incorporates literacy, language, and mathematics while making learning fun and interesting. This curriculum also connects families to what their children are learning, providing family-friendly activities at home that will reinforce what the kids are learning at their early education center.
Visit the YMCA to Find Out More About Our Learning Environments
We invite you to visit a YMCA child development center, to learn more and discover our legacy of excellence. Since the 1800s, the YMCA of Central Massachusetts has been an association united by the common goal of strengthening our communities. We are dedicated to helping children discover who they are and what they can achieve. The members, volunteers, donors, and staff of the Y are engaged in a movement beyond themselves, committed to creating a place in which everyone can learn, grow, and thrive. Here, families come together, good health is encouraged, and bonds are formed through fitness, sports, and shared interests. At our five locations in Central MA- Fitchburg, Leominster, Westborough, Worcester, and Southbridge, we provide children, youth, adults, and families with support, guidance, resources, and the care and respect all people need. To learn more about all we have to offer, contact us through our website.
