The purpose of this lesson is for children to be active. Preschool children should
accumulate at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity and 60 minutes of
unstructured physical activity every day.
Overview
In this activity children will listen to and follow musical cues and improve their
locomotor skills.
How to Play
Play some music and instruct children to move around a track in a circular direction
in the following ways: Walking, walking backwards (slowly), skipping, crawling, like
a dragon, like a ballerina. When you stop the music, instruct the children to
‘Freeze’.
When the music starts again, the children start to move again. Try changing
directions when the children are good at following the track.
Activity 1Match the Valentine
Equipment Required
Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is for children to be active. Preschool children should
accumulate at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity and 60 minutes of
unstructured physical activity every day.
Overview
In this activity children will match correct sizes and shapes.
How to play
Stand children in front of the wall with taped valentines. Review the
differences in size and color among the valentines. Some valentines are big,
others little, some red, others pink, others blue. Next, have the children line
up against the opposite wall. As the children watch, take down one half of each
valentine. Give each child one of the valentine halves.
In one small group at a time, ask the children to find the match for their
valentines. First, identify the group that will be moving by saying, “If you
have a pink (red, blue) valentine” or “If you have a big (little) valentine.”
Second, identify the locomotor movement this group will use, such as walk,
gallop, or jump. Together, the instructions sound like this. “If you have half
of a big, red valentine, gallop down and find a match. When you find a matching
half, tape yours on the wall next to it and gallop back.” Assist children as
necessary.
Continue this format until everyone has had a turn and matched all the
valentines. If you made more valentines than children, allow a second turn. Let
the children marvel at the wall they have recreated, then start the game again
in reverse. The instructions now should like this, “If you are a boy, hop down
to the wall, take one-half of any valentine, and hop back.” You may need to
demonstrate.
Continue this format until the wall has only halves of all the valentines. At
this time ask the children to trade the valentine half they have in their hand
with a friend. When everyone has a new valentine half, repeat from step 2.
During the game, emphasize the following: Continually review size and color
identification. If children make incorrect matches, encourage them for trying. Guide
them toward the correct match and ask them, “How about this match?” You are sure to
get a smile and a willingness to try next time!
Let the children feel the sticky tape on the back of the valentine. Use duct tape
because it still sticks when used again and again.
Activity 2Kids' Aerobics
Equipment Required
Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is for children to be active. Preschool children should
accumulate at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity and 60 minutes of
unstructured physical activity every day.
Overview
In this activity teachers will lead children in an aerobic-style activity.
How to play
Instruct children to stand in a circle and follow your directions.
Caution children to be careful not to bump into other participants while doing the
actions.
Use the following commands as a guide to help you keep your participants moving for
4–6 minutes:
Begin walking in place.
As you slow down, think about all the things you felt your body do as you did the
actions.
Cool-Down/Wrap-UpBody Cues
How to play
Ask children how their body felt, and what their body did during the physical
activity.
Discuss their answers which may include: sweaty, dizzy, felt my heart beating, felt
good, had fun, or had to breathe faster.
Tell children that they should be active everyday because it makes our heart and
muscles grow strong.
Enrichment
Read Hop, Skip, Jump-a-Roo- Zoo by Jane B. Moncure. Encourage children to
demonstrate some of the action words throughout the book.
Attention Teachers!
Following this activity, please fill out the teacher’s weekly log form for this lesson.
Weekly Log
Attention Teachers!
Following this activity, please fill out the teacher’s weekly log form for this
lesson.
