Kids get amped for Olympics (+ video)

Local schools are getting amped and into the Olympic Games spirit as the event draws ever closer.

Earlybirds Educare's 4-year-old centre will hold a Mini Olympics on August 19 at Froude St Reserve and the kids have been working hard to prepare for the event.

Teacher Rees Uerata said the children all had a go painting the medals that would be given out on the day at their medal ceremony.

He said there were green ones for participation, as well as bronze, silver and gold for the top performers.

"We have identified some events we can do as a centre for our Games day down at the park that will involve the children's ability and parts for the teachers and parents that come along."

Mr Uerata said sports events would include weightlifting using hand-made weights, balance beams, bean bag throwing, long jump, running and team races - hurdles, egg races, sack races and baton relays.

There would also be shot put for the parents, he said.

The children had also been practicing their skills for the day, he said.

"It's been a lot of fun, the kids are enjoying it."

Mr Uerata said he liked sports and liked to share it with the children.

"It's been a lot of teamwork but I'm looking forward to the day and hopefully the weather plays its part."

Head teacher Josie Stewart said they had also made Olympic torches and the children were learning about a range of things to do with the Olympics.

These included learning about the five colours of the Olympic rings and what they represented, the origins of the Olympics, countries involved and the flags, and learning about the New Zealand athletes and what they were competing in, she said.

Kawaha Point School is also holding a Mini Olympics for the whole school on August 10.

Deputy principal Nicky King said there would be an opening ceremony and the school would be mixed up into teams and represent a country, for which would will be making flags next week.

She said senior pupils would be involved in leading and coming up with the activities.

They would be looking at designing events which both reflected the Olympic Games and the needs and skills of children at the school, so that special needs children could participate too, she said.

The children had also been looking at the Olympics in class time and were "inquiring into the reasons for the Olympics and into the social issues that can arise from hosting the Olympics, and the financial cost to a country".

"They are becoming familiar with the history of the Olympics."