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Youngsters participate in events to win gold medals
Children wear blue, yellow, black, green and red to participate in a miniature version of the
YOUNGSTOWN
More than 60 students from Zion Christian Early Learning Center showed their patriotism during their first Olympics Day.
Children from 6 weeks old to age 12 sported blue, yellow, black, green and red and carried flags through a Wednesday morning parade beginning with a rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” outside Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road.
Geniene Hankey, learning center administrator, said the driving force behind the mock-athletic event was the children’s pronounced interest in this year’s Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“We thought, ‘What can we do to further this interest?’” she said.
Children moved out of their comfort zones trying a variety of activities, including long jump, hurdles, beach volleyball, relay races and obstacle courses.
Hankey said the opportunity was more than to just get physically active. The events also improved younger age groups’ growth and motor skills.
“They are learning through play,” she said.
Teacher Frances Howley said those of all ages cheered for each other, racing to the finish lines to win the gold medal for the day.
Hankey and Howley agreed the best part of the event was seeing children of all age groups work together as a team.
“[The event] fosters cooperation and kind of gets the children to show goodwill toward one another,” Howley said.
Every student earned a gold medal with praying hands for their participation in the day’s festivities.
A few children bit the medals as many winners do in the Olympics.
“I think it made them proud to be Americans,” Howley said. “They were all just beaming.”
Champion tug-of-war winner and student Faizon Nelson, 12, said he would miss Zion next year, when he will age out of the summer program. He said he had so much fun on top of “learning a lot.”
“It’s always been fun for children to be here,” Faizon said. “It’s a good school.”