With the 2024 Olympics and now the start of the Paralympic Games, be.Living is still immersed in the lessons instilled by the “Olympic spirit” – a feeling capable of giving new meaning to the collective game, even if it is organized as a competition, proposing to go beyond the simple act of competing.
This vibrant energy swept through our school and turned into an inspiring event: the “be.Living Olympics 2024” – a celebration of sport, diversity and human values, adapted to the universe of children.
Since the beginning of June, physical education classes have turned into a hands-on Olympic lab. The students not only played sports, but also explored the rich history and symbols of the Olympic Games. The meaning of the Olympic rings, the relevance of the mascots and the careers of iconic athletes were the topics of research and discussion, involving families in this learning process. “Most of these children are experiencing their first or second Olympics in their lives.
So, before we played the games, we introduced them to the Olympics, explaining that it is a worldwide collective event. The children did some research on the Olympic rings, mascots and talked to their families about athletes who inspire them. This exchange is fundamental for them to understand what is at stake beyond the medals” – said Physical Education teacher, Fábio Cabianca.
During the second half of August, the be.Living Olympics transformed the elementary school into an arena of respect, cooperation and overcoming obstacles. Eight teams, made up of students from Years 1 to 5, competed in five sports: shot put, 20-meter dash, table tennis, long jump and relay race. Each student signed up for the sports they were interested in, and the activities were organized to include everyone. In addition, all students took part in the relay race, reinforcing the concept of teamwork and cooperation. Teacher Fábio also stressed the importance of preparing children for real life: “We work with them on how to cope with losing, which is a key element of their development. Just like in the real Olympics, we also have gold, silver and bronze medals. Some children will win, others won’t, and this generates a series of feelings that need to be worked through. Our aim is to show that life isn’t just about winning, but also about coping with losing,” said Fábio.
An innovation of the be.Living Olympics was the “Olympic Spirit” award, a way of recognizing and valuing attitudes such as empathy, cooperation, respect and teamwork. Every day, at the end of the activities, the children got together to evaluate the day’s experience and hand out “Olympic Spirit” cards to classmates who demonstrated these qualities. “What we wanted to bring to the children is a different perspective, one that values human attitude over and above sporting performance. This award doesn’t exist in the official Olympics, but we felt it was essential for their learning. On the last day, we counted the cards and delivered the gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Olympic Spirit category,” said Fábio.
The be.Living Olympics were more than just a sports competition, they were an opportunity for deep learning, where each child was able to experience in practice the values that make the Olympics unique. More than just celebrating victories, the school managed to convey the importance of values such as empathy, respect and teamwork, preparing the children for the challenges and beauties of life. With the start of the Paralympic Games, these teachings become even more relevant, reinforcing that the true Olympic spirit goes beyond earning a podium and meeting the expectations and standards imposed by society. It is also present in reflections and questions about the status quo, creating opportunities for all people to exercise their right to put their gifts and abilities into practice, and above all, their values – which are universal and inherent to every human being.
