Today the City’s Recreation and Parks Department hosted a motor skills tournament at the Allenby Drive Sports Ground in Retreat. The fun competition provided an ideal opportunity for Grade R learners to show how their gross motor skills have developed through weekly programmes.
The popular tournament started as an initiative by Play Leader, Bella Mahlanza in 2017.
As many crèches in the area don’t have enough space for the children to run freely, the Steenberg Community Centre offers enough room for children to run around at the centre, playing together and to take a break from sitting in classes.
Seeing how much the children developed from visiting the centre throughout the year, the idea for an annual fun day for all ECDs within walking distance of the centre materialised.
The purpose of the event is to offer a day of activities that are challenging but lots of fun, for hundreds of children to take part in sack races, relays, egg spoon races and other games tailor-made for their age group.
By using learned physical skills such as hand-eye coordination, muscle strength and balance developed throughout the year, the children mark their progress at the year-end event ending with special awards and prizes.
This year 135 children between the ages of 3 and 6 participated from four local crèches:
• Kiddy Garden Educare
• New Beginnings Educare
• Little Beginners Educare
• Rhodatul Giekmah Educare
Noticeable changes can be seen in each child’s physical, mental and social capabilities. The children are always very excited to come to the classes each week and they love taking part in the tournament held at the end of the school year.
The day started with a kiddies parade where children and teachers got energy levels pumping with their favourite war cry, proudly displaying their school name banners.
The South African Police Service ensured that everyone was safe, visibly present at the event, whilst the City’s Public Participation Unit assisted teachers with walking the children through their activities.
‘These outdoor activities are very important in the holistic development of children, giving them good mobility and a chance to enjoy outdoor play. It also strengthens self-esteem and learning how to relate to group activities. Many children often don’t have the opportunity to participate in physical activity so this tournament provided the perfect playground for children to develop these skills’, said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
Source: City Of Cape Town