SPORTS AND RECREATION DAY FOR SAVREMENA’S STUDENTS: TRIP TO AVALA, OUTDOOR GAMES AND LOTS OF NEW INSIGHTS

Sasa Zdravkovic / / Blog, I-IV, Kombinovani, Nacionalni, V-VIII / October 2, 2019

SPORTS AND RECREATION DAY FOR SAVREMENA’S STUDENTS: TRIP TO AVALA, OUTDOOR GAMES AND LOTS OF NEW INSIGHTS

A warm September day was ideal for another unforgettable adventure of Savremena’s students – this time, the students and their teachers visited Avala where they spent the day playing, learning dance steps and expanding their knowledge of the natural world and mountains. At the end of another fulfilling day, everyone enjoyed the unique view from Avala, and unanimously agreed:

“We spent an unforgettable day at this breathtaking mountain where we had great fun playing games!”

Team games for deepening friendship, developing organisational skills and having fun

Avala is an ideal place for an outdoor get-together, and for Savremena’s students, this trip was so much more – students from different classes formed teams and through good organisation, strengthened their team spirit and nurtured their friendship. Two blue teams – students of the 1st and the 5th grade, a green team – students of the 2nd grade, and a red and yellow team – students of the 3rd and 4th grade, reinforced their sense of belonging to the team and deepened the friendships they made from the first day of school.

Sack race, tug of war, various ball games, learning sports rules and other carefully designed games helped students relax and enjoy themselves, but also to learn something new – what they can do with a ball and a rope. They also discovered hidden talents:

The teacher showed us a new game! I couldn’t imagine I was so fast! I will definitely have to compete in a race.

It wasn’t only students who took part in the games, but their teachers as well. They encouraged students through examples and applause, pointing out the importance of physical exercise and recreation. The students learnt that sport and physical activity are the main factors for a healthy body and mind.

Trka u džakovima, nadvlačenje konopca, raznovrsne igre loptom

Music, practicing choreography and learning dance steps

The sports and recreation day also had a musical accompaniment so students could learn and practice their first dance steps. The students had great fun dancing to the music and demonstrating knowledge acquired in creative classes and music club at Savremena. Music allows children to develop their kinaesthetic, intellectual and cognitive abilities in any place, from music club sessions to outdoor classes equally.

In addition to the sports rules, the children were introduced to dance and its charms, learning how dancing helps one improve their posture, and achieving the teaching aim: practicing coordination, mastering dance steps and developing a sense of music and rhythm.

Muzika, vežbanje koreografije i plesnih koraka

Developing creativity and motor skills through outdoor games

Games present in this extracurricular activity were specifically chosen to fulfil another long-term goal besides entertainment – play helps children learn better; it prepares them for learning at school and improves their motor coordination. Moreover, it encourages imagination and creativity, as well as resourcefulness in problem solving, and finally, helps children gain more confidence, which manifests itself in interaction with others.

Rope skipping, tug of war, dance and ball games are just some of the activities that improve gross motor skills such as: strength, speed, stamina, coordination, flexibility, balance and precision.