PROGRAM FOR FORMING PERCEPTIONS OF THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT AMONG OLDER PRESCHOOLERS

The purpose of the study is to enhance the process of Olympic education by utilizing an algorithm for the formation of knowledge about the Olympic movement among older preschool children.
Research methods and organization. Literature analysis on the selected topic; analysis of official documents; pedagogical experiments; pedagogical observations of the educational and upbringing process, as well as the play activities of older preschoolers and their parents aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the developed program; testing; and methods of mathematical statistics were employed. The developed program for forming notions about the Olympic movement among older preschoolers was tested at the Municipal Autonomous Preschool Educational Institution "Child Development Center," kindergarten No. 167 "Rodnichok" in Khabarovsk over a period of 8 months, from October 2023 to May 2024. The experimental program was built on a combination of various methods and forms of activities with children. It included: theoretical classes dedicated to Olympic themes; presentations on outstanding athletes; a 'virtual museum' that allows for an exploration of the history of the ancient Olympic Games; musical sessions that unveil the world of music and songs that resonated during home Olympiads; drawing classes to reinforce knowledge about the symbols of the Olympics; as well as video screenings demonstrating the grandeur of the Olympic Games; 'Olympic lessons' with the involvement of students from FESAPC, quizzes, physical education activities, and a theatrical celebration titled 'Mini Olympic Games.' All topics within the Olympic block were distributed across the months and included in the thematic plan.
Research results and conclusions. After conducting the experiment, a positive trend in the change of knowledge levels among older preschoolers regarding the Olympic movement was observed. Weak knowledge ('low level') was demonstrated by 5% of the children, 'average level' was identified in 35%, and 'high level' was found in 60% of preschoolers. The results obtained allow for a conclusion about the effectiveness of the implemented program, as evidenced by the significant increase in children's knowledge on the proposed topics, and it also heightened the interest of preschoolers and their parents in physical culture activities.

older preschoolers, Olympic education, physical education for preschoolers