Preschoolers Learn Lessons in Olympic-Style Games

Balloon popping and an egg-rolling relay are unlikely to ever be sanctioned as Olympic events, but they will be highlights this month in the Warner Center Children’s Corner’s Summer Games.

Preschoolers at the nonprofit day-care center in Woodland Hills have caught the Olympic spirit and have chosen the event as their learning theme for August.

They kicked off their month of lessons in an opening ceremony Thursday, with handmade flags representing their color family group and an Olympic-style procession into the building.

They were treated to a pep talk from UCLA track and field athlete Gentry Bradley Jr., who ran the 200-meter race at the 1996 U.S. Olympic trials.

The 90 children cheered and were cheered by teachers and parents as they marched into the center, waving their flags: First came the yellow family, then purple, red, pink and, finally, blue.

Center officials said that during August the children will be taught the basics of playing as a team in such games as the balloon toss, relay run and the obstacle course.

“The focus of the lesson is teaching children how to take part in games,” said Kim Colby, admissions and community relations coordinator. “They’ll learn what it means to compete and to play in teams with other participants.”

There will be no medal ceremonies, however, because there will be no medals.

“Everyone’s a winner here,” she said.