Exercise Component: | Developmental Area: |
* Stretching Various stretch poses while discussing the body parts being stretched | * lengthening and strengthening of muscles * names of muscles
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* Running races Divide children into groups. Get them to run the width of the yard. | * coordination of the whole body * turn taking * running ability |
* Long jump Children to turn take to run up to the edge of the sandpit and jump as far as they can. The teacher should demonstrate this first. | * coordination of the whole body * turn taking * running ability * spatial awareness |
* Meditation Children to lay on their back laying still breathing in and out. While listening to soft music. Teachers to guide the breathing by directing “in, out” | * relaxation * regulation of breathing |
* Aerobics Various aerobics such as side steps, step touch, running, star jumps etc to music | * coordination of whole body * strengthening of muscles |
* Yoga poses Assorted poses from the sheets. Discuss the importance of strengthening and lengthening muscles. | * lengthening of muscles * strengthening of muscles * body control |
* Tai chi poses | * strengthen lengthen muscles * whole body control * controlled movements |
Gymnastics | |
* Low balance beam Children take turns take walking along a low balance beam | * balance * whole body coordination |
* Balancing on a rope Children walk heel to toe along a rope that is on the ground | * whole body coordination * balance |
* High balance beam Children take turns walking along a high balance beam | * balance * spatial awareness |
* High jump Children run and jump on foam mats. Alternatively children to jump over a skipping rope held a varying heights | * whole body coordination * spatial awareness |
* Balance Skipping rope on the ground children turn take to walk along it walking heel to toe where possible. | * whole body coordination * balance |
* Rolling tumbling on mats Children roll and tumble on a flat mat | * whole body coordination * turn taking * flexion of back, spine * strengthening of muscles |
Dancing | |
* Move to the beat The children are to move to the beat of music being played. Teachers to role model. Stomping, jumping, waving arms, clapping etc | * whole body coordination * follow instructions * refinement of existing abilities |
* Row, row, row your boat song with actions Children sit in pairs and rock back and forth to the music. Sing different versions Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream If you see a crocodile don’t forget to scream! Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream Chuck (child’s name) overboard and listen to them scream. | * body awareness * control * turn taking * whole body coordination * ability to follow instructions |
* Statues/ freeze Free dancing to country music. When the music stops the children freeze on the spot. | * body awareness * control * whole body coordination * ability to follow instructions |
* Bell game to music Children free dance to multicultural music when the bell is rung the children have to run to a hoop and stand inside | * coordination of the whole body * running ability * spatial awareness |
* As loud as an elephant song with actions “Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp I’m as loud as an elephant Swish, swish, swish, swish I’m as quiet as a little fish” Children to stomp loudly with feet then swish their hands while they are clasped together to represent a fish. | * coordination of body * following directions * spatial awareness |
* Penguin Polka dance Children do this dance to the “Nut bush” soundtrack. Hands on tummy. Right hand extends out twice. Repeat with left hand. Both hands extend out. Then lift elbows up. Jump backwards four times then waddle forward. Repeat process. | * coordination of whole body * following directions * learning left and right |
* Dancing with ribbons Children dance to the beat of the music while twirling ribbons around themselves and in the air | * coordination of whole body * free movement |
* Limbo dance to music Teachers use broom stick and the song. Demonstrate the way to move underneath the bar | * coordination of the whole body * turn taking * increase flexibility * spatial awareness |
* Statues Children dance to assorted music and stand still when the music stops. Make it harder by decreasing the volume of the music. | * whole body coordination * following instructions |
* Large movement dancing Children and teachers to dance using large movements with their arm, body and torso. | * whole body coordination * free movement * control of muscles |
* Hokey pokey dance Children to make a circle and follow the actions on the CD or while teachers and peers sing. | * coordination, * spatial awareness * recognition of body parts * exposure to the concept of left and right * following directions * balance * awareness of centre of gravity |
* Animal statues Children to dance to music. When the music stops the children are to look at carer who will hold up a picture card with an animal on it. The children then act like that animal. | * body awareness * control * whole body coordination * ability to follow instructions |
Parachute games | |
* Parachute to music Children to flap the parachute up and down in time to the music | * coordination * large group participation * strengthening of arm, shoulder and back * two hand coordination |
* Parachute with actions Children to flap the parachute up and down in time to the music and copy actions of the teachers | * coordination * large group participation * strengthening of arm, shoulder and back * two hand coordination |
* Parachute to music Rise/ fall the parachute in a large group. Use different tempos to encourage children to try and follow the music | * hand eye coordination * spatial awareness * turn taking |
Obstacle course | |
* Set up a course that children can climb over, crawl under, go through, jump, hop and climb. | * coordination of whole body * strengthening of skills * increase abilities * turn taking * balance |
Ball skills | |
* Ball throwing in hoops Children are to use two hands to aim and throw a ball in a hula hoop, hanging hoop or bucket. Depending on skill level | * hand eye coordination * spatial awareness * turn taking |
* Kicking balls Children to kick stationary balls across the yard, to their peers and teachers. | * foot-eye coordination * strengthening of leg muscles * turn taking * the ability to aim * leg preference * coordination of whole body * balance |
* Hot potato Children to pass a ball or bean bag around to music while sitting in a circle. When the music stops the child holding the item leaves the circle and sits on the “great try mat”. Alternatively the children can just stay in the group and name the colour of the ball (will need several balls to play this way) | * hand eye coordination * turn taking * the ability to follow instructions |
* Bat and ball game Children to hit a ball off the ground with bats or paddles. | * hand eye coordination * spatial awareness * coordination of body |
* Ball kicking Kick balls of varying size the length of the yard in groups. | * foot-eye coordination * strengthening of leg muscles * turn taking * the ability to aim * leg preference |
* Throwing/catching assorted balls Teacher and children to turn take to throw and catch balls of varying sizes. | * hand-eye coordination * spatial awareness * turn taking |
* Bat and balloon game Children to use bats to hit balloon as far as they can | * hand-eye coordination * spatial awareness |
* Ball skills Children throw balls to their peers and catch them. For younger children the teacher may be the best one to throw to the chn. | * hand-eye coordination * spatial awareness * coordination of whole body * balance |
* Rolling balls Children sit in small groups, large groups or pairs and roll ball back and forth. | * foot -eye coordination * spatial awareness * hand-eye coordination * strengthening of arm muscles * turn taking * develop the ability to aim |
* Rolling large balls Children divided into small groups or pairs. They are each given a large exercise ball. The groups or pairs roll the length of the yard | * coordination of the whole body * hand-eye coordination * spatial awareness |
* Lawn bowls Children to roll smaller balls aiming at a larger ball which is positioned away from them. | * hand-eye coordination * spatial awareness |
* Balloons in the air Encourage children to keep the balloon in the air. Get children to do this in small groups or pairs. The balloon shouldn’t stop or hit the ground. N.B ensure all broken pieces are safely disposed of. | * hand-eye coordination * spatial awareness |
* Ball skills Children kick a ball between two markers. Do this in small groups or pairs of children | * foot-eye coordination * spatial awareness |
* Ball skills extended Children to roll large exercise balls across the yard individually or in pairs | * hand-eye coordination * spatial awareness |
* Bowling balls into a hoop Children use one arm to bowl using an underarm motion to get the ball in a hoop on the ground. Increase the distance as children achieve. | * hand-eye coordination * increasing control * spatial awareness |
* Balls thrown in a high hoop or a hoop on the ground Vary the distances where the child stands | * coordination * large group participation * strengthening of arm, shoulder and back * two hand coordination |
Games | |
* Musical chairs/mat Get enough chairs for each child to sit on. Play music for the children to dance to. When the music stops children sit down. Remove some chairs continue the process. Alternatively use a large mat and fold it in to make it smaller. | * free movement * whole body coordination * turn taking * participation in a large group * following instructions |
* Chase and spray Game is based on the rules of tip but the children spray each other with water spray bottles as opposed to tipping. | * whole body coordination * running ability * strengthening of hand muscles * hand eye coordination |
* Snake game Teachers shake a skipping rope on the ground. The children turn take to jump over it ensuring the “snake” doesn’t touch them | * whole body coordination * eye body coordination * balance |
* Egg and rock race Children to hold a wooden spoon and walk/ run along a designated course without dropping the rock off the spoon (like egg and spoon race) | * coordination * balance * speed |
* Bubble blowing Teacher to blow bubbles in the air. The children chase and try to pop them | * hand eye coordination * whole body coordination |
* Tug-o-war Explain the process. Teachers demonstrate what to do Get children into two groups. Assist children to hold the rope. Say ready set go and get children to pull. | * coordination * large group participation * strengthening of arm, shoulder and back * two hand coordination |
* Animal races Children have to race each other using the movements of the animal that the teacher nominates. | * coordination of the whole body * turn taking * running ability |
* Sack/ pillow races Children to turn take in small groups of 3-5. The children stand in the sack/ pillow case and jump down to a finish line (shorter course may be needed for younger children) | * coordination of the whole body * turn taking * jumping ability * strengthening muscles |
* Row, row, row your boat song with actions Children to sit in pairs and rock back and forth to the music. Sing different versions Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream If you see a crocodile don’t forget to scream! Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream Chuck (child’s name) overboard and listen to them scream. | * body awareness * control * turn taking * whole body coordination * ability to follow instructions |
* Balloon relays Children to place balloons between their legs and walk along a set course | * coordination of whole body * balance * speed |
* Animal dancing Teacher to hold up cards of varying animals. The children are to dance to music being that animal. | * whole body coordination * following instructions |
* Water blowing Trough of water. Children use straws or their breath to blow ping pong balls across the water. | * strengthening of lungs * hand eye coordination |
* Simon says Children to copy the actions of the teacher as they say “Simon says______” The children aren’t to follow the action unless “Simon says” is said at the beginning of the sentence | * whole body coordination * ability to follow instructions * recognition of body parts |
* Snake game Teachers shake a skipping rope on the ground. The children turn take to jump over it ensuring the “snake” doesn’t touch them | * whole body coordination * eye body coordination * balance |
* Statues strike a pose! Played like traditional statues but when the music stops the children look at the nominated person and copy their pose | * whole body coordination * following instructions |
* Balance with bean bags Children to walk along a set course while balancing a small bean bag on their head | * balance * whole body control |
* Marching to the Grand old Duke of York song “The grand old Duke of York. He has ten thousand men, He marched them up to the top of the hill and he marched them down again. When they were up they were up, and when they were down they were down and when they were only half way up they were neither up or down” | * whole body coordination * ability to follow instructions |
* Water balloon relay Children to hold water filled balloon in both hands. The children are to race up and down the yard without dropping the water balloon. Pass to a friend and they have a turn. | * hand eye coordination * spatial awareness * turn taking * coordination of the whole body |