Website Archive - February
Spotlight on the Olympic Winter Games
This month, our spotlight is on the Olympic Winter Games and websites which offer activities for parents, teachers, and children to explore this international celebration. Check out this month's "previews” and links.
Children
They may not be Olympic Games but maybe they should offer medals for the winners of these games. Children will compete against and work with other children as they virtually race, run obstacle courses (Bob the Builder Relay Race and Fireman Sam Race), race to catch falling items (Koala Brothers Game), help save friends from falling into the water (Rubberdubbers Game), and tests of strength (Tug of War). These games are entertaining in their content, and do help children to find keys on the computer, but many have been designed to encourage children to play together and to enjoy this interaction (ex:Clifford Tug of War). Others like Fireman Sam Race were designed to help children’s emotional and social development.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/funandgames/
Parents
Crayola offers several Olympic-related activities, including the Olympic Record Chart. Maintaining this record can be a good pastime for the whole family. Record facts, predictions, and scores. Follow individual athletes, countries or competitions or just enjoy observing Olympic history in the making. Crayola does require membership and login but it is free.
The Olympics is about competition and being the best. Watching the Olympics may inspire some parents and children to begin the search for the sport in which the child may become a future Olympiad or at least local star. But not every child is ready for or should be signed up for a sports program. Preschool Sports: What to assess when signing your child up for a sports program by Holly Bennett provides some insights for parents on what to look for in your child and potential sports programs, before selecting a program.
Your child can have an Olympic Medal when you follow the simple instructions which recycle plastic orange juice lids and blue plastic bags and add on some stickers. http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/olympic.html
Teachers
A to Z Kids Stuff has lots of craft ideas for making Olympic mascots, medals, and laurel wreaths and also physical fitness ideas modeled on the Olympics. These include the Shot Put for Distance,100 inch Dash, and the Standing Broad Stretch. There’s even a printable Get Fit Chart.
You’ll find a full week of Olympic-inspired activities at the ChildFun Family Website. For each of five days, a art, music, and movement activity is provided as well as a suggested snack. The week ends with an Olympic closing ceremony. You’ll find lots of ideas for both indoor and outdoor activities so your class will be able to hold their Olympics whether February is 50 degrees or 15 degrees.
With much of this winter’s temperatures hovering around 50 degrees, outdoors activities may be quite feasible this February. Preschool Education’s Games & Outdoors : Olympic has nearly thirty outdoor activities that will bring the excitement of the Winter Olympic Games to your facility. There’s the Big Wheel Race, Spider Race (no bugs just children crawling on all fours), Bean Bag Tic-Tac-Toe, Cotton Ball Race, Decathlon (much easier than it sounds), Rolling Relay, Bubble Blowing, and much more. Encourage everyone to eat a good hot breakfast and let the games begin!
[Posted on February 2, 2006]
