Everett CDC Gets Moving

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Sonja M. Chambers, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Detachment Northwest

June 10, 2010 - EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- Children at Naval Station Everett's Child Development Center (CDC) got moving with the help of an exercise science major intern June 9 in Everett, Wash.

Aaron Norton, an intern at the Seismos Fitness Center, designed an exercise program for the CDC as a special project for his classes at Central Washington University.

"One of the biggest things that we focused on [in class] was the fact that so many kids these days are becoming overweight," said Norton. "That's usually a combination of their diet and lack of exercise because of the increased rate of video games, computers and movies."

Norton, who has five small nieces and nephews, wanted to share his passion for exercise with the teachers and children of the CDC.

"That was a big thing for me," said Norton. "I love my nieces and nephews, so it's cool to be able to apply what I learned in school to a real life situation."

The program includes warm-up stretching, aerobic activity and a cool-down session and can be done for 15 or 45 minutes depending on time constraints.

"I designed it for 15 minutes," Norton said. "I know they are busy here, and they might not want to have this be a very long, extensive kind of exercise. Quick, simple and fun. That's what I was trying to focus on."

Patricia Vierra, the CDC training and curriculum specialist, said the program is great for the kids.

"It helps to emphasize to the children that physical activity is beneficial," said Vierra. "It's important to get out there and move their muscles."

She said the exercises teach more than just how to be active.

"It's an adult-led, organized activity where there's no competition," said Vierra. "There's listening to rules, steps to follow, sequencing and patterns that help children develop some of those skills while having fun."

With the wet weather common in Everett, the program can be adapted to the indoors.

"That was the other part Aaron wanted the teachers to understand," Vierra said. "He emphasized to the teachers that you can do physical activity even on rainy days."

Norton stressed that exercise for children doesn't have to be complicated and parents should be the example.

"If kids don't see their parents exercising, they might not want to," said Norton. "I know with today's busy society, we don't have time to go to the park with our kids so much anymore, but at least get them outside and give them a chance to move around and not be in front of a TV."