What are some learning projects, art projects, and manipulatives for preschoolers to do with an Olympic theme?

Question

What are some learning projects, art projects, and manipulatives for preschoolers to do with an Olympic theme?

Answer 1

When they were in Greece years ago, we made the flag, stacked baklava, and played games.  Daily we put the pin on a different country (map with a string connecting the USA to it), looked at their flag's picture, learned how to say game in their language, and looked at people from that country.  I tried to find people in historical dress or at a beach or mountain just to kind of make more realistic to the kids.  We also listened to music from that country as I could find it!  Not always easy to do.. but that was ten years ago!  The classroom wasn't wired for the internet then.  

Being that it is from China, I would build the Great Wall of China, a ship, and find party style decorations to decorate the classroom.  Could you find some sort of child's ritual to do before meal time or while greeting their teacher?  

Kicking a ball (soccer), forward rolls (gymnastics), basketball hoops, running races (track) and the like might be fun ways to enjoy the sports, too.  You could get by with this being a learning activity if you really teach the vocabulary with it and award medals.  The parents would probably think it was a great idea!

Answer 2

I found an awesome website with all kinds of ideas dealing with Preschool and the Olympics. I didn't look at the whole thing, but there is sure a lot. There are ideas for varying songs kids know to make them Olympic related. There are good lists of books, games and art activities.

A couple of ideas I thought are pretty neat:

-Have the children create their own flag

-Use toilet paper rolls to dip in paint and make their own Olympic rings.

http://www.everythingpreschool.com/theme...

Are you in a preschool class that goes year round? Since the Olympics start in August, that might be a good time to go with the Olympic theme. Also, make sure you build off of your kids' interests. If they are really into more of the sport aspects, make more sport related activities. Have the art stuff out in your art area so they can continue on with the Olympic ideas even when they are having free time. Add things to the dress up area such as running shorts, sneakers, medals and sweat bands! You're class is going to have so much fun!