Under the title, 'Oakey Dokeys celebrates 2012', we're really embracing the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic games.
We started our discussions with the children by making a countdown to the start of the games. It was a big number then with over 100 days to go. Now with fewer than 40 days to go, we have covered so many learning opportunities that focus on the values of the games, which are respect, friendship, equality, inspiration, excellence, courage and determination.
Consequently, every child has a little piece of knowledge about this important occasion which we hope will stay in their memories for years to come.
When walking into our setting, it would be hard to miss the giant wall display that has been created in the past few months. We feel it has grown daily from all our conversations with grandparents, parents and of course the children.
Many of our children are keen to share with us the sporting activities they participate in outside of the setting, be it swimming, biking, football or dancing. These experiences are all relevant links with the Olympics and Paralympic games and we never miss an opportunity in telling the children they are athletes, ready to compete and perhaps win a medal.
In addition to the children's photos and drawings, we have also displayed photos of Olympic and Paralympic teams, which has encouraged finding out about sports that the children may not be familiar with.
We found that 'The Gingerbread Man' story was a good example of exploring running and swimming with the children and this provided a link with understanding the Paralympic games when one child bit a homemade gingerbread man's leg off and said he wouldn't be able to run. This was a good opportunity to discuss how he would still be able to run. This led to topics such as how you could catch a ball if you could not see. In one session we sellotaped a bell on a ball and closed our eyes and rolled the ball to each other. This highlighted that it is still possible to take part in various sports even with a disability.
We will continue our learning after the summer holidays when the children have actually seen the games. Therefore, our giant wall display will be staying up for a few more months and Oakey Dokeys will continue to carry the torch in our community.