HeartShare will host its Annual Olympics Sports Day on Thursday, March 22nd for its pre-schoolers at the First Step Early Childhood Center in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Each child creates an Olympic torch prior to the event and receives a medal for their participation.

Students from 4410 and Pre-K for All classrooms will participate in activities that target major areas of development, such as gross, fine and visual motor, as well as sensory processing skills. For example, a child using a slide or trampoline exercises motor skills, while a bean bag toss – where kids need hand-eye coordination and ability to judge distances – utilize visual motor skills. The activities teach the important values of safe play and social interaction, which includes sharing, waiting, and taking turns with peers—with and without disabilities.

“By watching others play, children who display difficulties with balance, coordination, motor planning or even anxiety while exploring sensory mediums, may overcome their fear and engage in activities that are challenging to them. This, in turn, fosters and facilitates their early development and helps achieve new milestones,” explained Olga Khazanova MS, OTR/L, a HeartShare Occupational Therapist.

Additionally, the event celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Special Olympics. The Games will commence on July 20, 2018 in Chicago, IL, where the first International Summer Games were first held in 1968.

The event will take place at the HeartShare First Step Early Childhood Center, 1825 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214. Parents, neighbors and members of the community are welcome.

Should you have any questions, please contact our Taranto Campus First Step Director at Kathy.Toal@heartshare.org