Gross Motor Games: Coordination + Safety + Endurance

Level 1 focuses on concrete, hands-on learning.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Materials

A large open space, indoors or outdoors

Pictures or drawings of different family members (e.g., parent, sibling, grandparent, pet)

Soft balls (various sizes)

A hula hoop

Beanbags

A small tunnel or play tent

Music player and upbeat music

Painter's tape or chalk for marking spaces

Small soft mats for resting

Learning Objectives

Children will demonstrate coordination by navigating an obstacle course.

Children will participate in throwing and catching with peers or educators.

Children will practise balancing and safe movement in a playful environment.

Children will engage in sustained physical activity for increasing periods.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather the children in the open space and explain that today we will be playing games that help our bodies grow strong, just like our families help us grow! Show them the pictures of family members and ask if they recognise them.

2. Set up a simple obstacle course using the tunnel, hula hoop, and tape lines. Explain that we need to move our bodies carefully and safely, like how we move carefully in our homes to avoid bumping into things or people.

3. Invite children to take turns navigating the course. Encourage them to crawl through the tunnel (like a little secret passage in their house), step through the hula hoop (like a special doorway), and walk along the tape lines (like pavement chalk drawings outside their home).

4. Once they have navigated the course, gather them for a ball-throwing activity. Talk about how families often play together. Encourage them to gently toss balls to each other or to you. Model a soft underhand toss.

5. Introduce beanbags. Explain that these are like little parcels of love we can carry and toss. Have children try to toss them into a designated spot or into the hula hoop, practicing their aim.

6. Briefly introduce the idea of “family jumps.” Children can pretend to jump like different family members. For example, “Let’s all jump like a big, strong dad!” or “Let’s all tiptoe like a quiet baby sibling!”

7. Play music and encourage free movement, dancing, and jumping. This allows them to express their energy in their own way, just like they have their own special ways of moving at home.

8. When children are getting tired, have them sit or lie on the soft mats for a brief "cool down." Remind them that even after playing hard, it's important to rest, just like we rest at home.

Educator Tip

Safety is paramount. Ensure the obstacle course elements are stable and spaced appropriately. Always supervise closely, especially during ball throwing, to prevent accidental hits. Encourage children to use gentle movements and to be aware of their peers. For children who might be hesitant, offer hands-on support or modifications, like having them start with walking around obstacles before crawling.

Assessment

Observe children's participation and effort in gross motor activities. Note their ability to follow simple instructions for navigating the obstacle course and their coordination during throwing and catching. Look for instances where they demonstrate understanding of safety cues and their engagement with the physical tasks over time.

Educator tip

Ensure safety; model following rules; celebrate all attempts.

Assessment

Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Teacher checklist: engagement, coordination.

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