Let’s Move while Balancing

Learning Outcomes

Description Of Activity

Movement skills/concepts Dynamic balance, static balance, space awareness, weight transfer and weight-bearing, body awareness, and relationships (with equipment). Set-up A variety of equipment or playground/gymnastic apparatus, such as low benches, ropes, hoops, bars, low fence, wobble boards. Also playground markings like grids, or patterns etc. Children are spread out in a level hard or grass area. Activity Who can …? • travel with only one/two/three body part(s) touching the ground – on a signal, freeze in that position and hold for three seconds • travel around the room like a crab, or a monkey, or a bear – on a signal, freeze in that shape and hold for three seconds • put weight on different points, (e.g. elbows, knees, head) • put weight on different surfaces, (e.g. back, tummy side) • move from one surface to another, (e.g. back to tummy) • move from points to a surface, (e.g. foot to back) • travel along lines, ropes, a line of blocks or around a hoop • walk along a low bench/beam – stop and hold a balance for three seconds • walk along an inclined bench • balance on an unstable base, (e.g. wobble board) Can you see …? • head up – point of focus • arms extended out to side (aeroplane arms) • good posture – tight muscles You can ask … How can you keep your balance when you are walking along a line or a low bench? Variations Go on a balance journey: For example, travel around the room (bear walk or hopping) moving on, off, over, under and around the equipment. On a signal, balance in a certain way on the nearest apparatus (e.g. balance like a bear). COOL DOWN/ CLOSURE Review Skill/Activity, stretching, and questions.

Equipment/Material Required