Baie Lazare crèche hosts second annual mini sports day |24 July 2023

The Baie Lazare playing field was full of life and laughter on Friday as the district’s crèche hosted its second annual mini sports day, engaging the pupils in various sporting and recreational activities.

Initially launched on July 21, last year, the activity featured events like 60m races, long jump, hoola hoops, egg and spoon, obstacle race, relay, along with other traditional games.

Teacher in charge of the crèche level at the school said the aim of the activity was to display the physical development and talents of the young pupils to their parents.

She said, another objective behind the sports day was to showcase the result of psychomotricity, a tool used as an early learning strategy for the physical development of a child, whereby it touches the base attributes of mobility such as balance, coordination and speed.

“It is an important exercise in crèche curriculum to have this subject which is significant in the early learning stage of a child, while the event is also a chance for us to identify those with potential for athletics at an early age,” said Ms Nathalie Bonne, who explained that four colours, namely yellow, blue, red, green and orange were designated to the different classes among pupils from both years of crèche.

She added that mini sport helps the crèche pupils to build team spirit as they competed by classes.

“We can see the potential where the first year pupils, are winning over those from the second year and each class cheering for their classmates, building up team spirit which was part of our goals for this event,” added Ms Bonne.

The head of crèche stated that during their normal curriculum teachers were tasked in identifying and classing pupils who are best suited for which event in the mini sport day.

“We set a target whereby all children were able to participate at least in one event providing everyone the opportunity to enjoy the mini sport day,” said Ms Bonne.

“The parents who attended were very proactive, encouraging their kids during their respective events, while the kids on the other hand were extra motivated seeing their parents, performing better than they normally would,” further remarked Ms Bonne.

“After the initial programme last year, it was agreed during management meeting that it should be turned into an annual event held on every July 22,” said Ms Bonne who concluded by expressing her gratitude towards the parents and teachers who supported them in hosting the second mini sport day.

 “I thank all the parents who supported us, the head teacher of the primary school Agnelle Monthy, the management of the school, our physical education teacher who prepared the games and our early childhood coordinator Vanesha Labrosse for making this day a success,” said Ms Bonne who added that children who excelled during the mini sport day will be scouted to prepare for the National Inter-School Athletics Championships.

All winners and participants were awarded trophies and certificates of participation at the end of the event.

The accompanying photos show some of the children in action.

Text and photos Neil Sirame