Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, ensure you have charts or posters showing children performing simple exercises, and prepare a suitable video clip on a device. Clear a safe space in the classroom for pupils to move freely without bumping into each other. The central idea for pupils is that moving their bodies in simple ways makes them strong and healthy. Successful learning will be observed when pupils actively imitate the demonstrated exercises and show enjoyment in movement.
Class: Pre-School Level 1
Term: Third Term
Week: 8
Age: 2 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: How to Have Good Health, Food, Exercise and Rest
Topic: BODY EXERCISES
Subject Matter: BODY EXERCISES; How to Exercise and Why It Matters.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify simple body exercises like clapping and stretching.
Affective Domain
- Show enjoyment and willingness to participate in body movements.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate simple body exercises such as clapping hands and tapping feet.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in group movement activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 1
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Charts showing children exercising (e.g., jumping, stretching)
- Posters depicting different body movements
- Video clips of simple exercises for young children
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 2-year-olds because it introduces them to the concept of physical activity in a fun and engaging way. Understanding how to move their bodies and why it matters helps them develop gross motor skills, build strong muscles, and establish early habits for a healthy lifestyle, contributing to their overall well-being and happiness.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already perform basic movements like walking, running, and some can make small jumps. They also have a basic awareness of their body parts.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
BODY EXERCISES: How to Exercise and Why It Matters
What is Exercise?
Exercise means moving our bodies to make them strong and healthy. When we move our arms, legs, and whole body, we are exercising!
Simple Body Exercises for Us:
- Clapping Hands: Clap, clap, clap!
- Waving Arms: Wave them up high, wave them side to side!
- Tapping Feet: Tap, tap, tap our feet on the floor!
- Stretching Up: Reach our arms up to the sky, make ourselves tall!
- Bending Knees: Bend down a little, then stand up tall!
- Small Jumps/Hops: Hop, hop, hop like a bunny!
Why Exercise Matters (Why It Is Good For Us):
- Exercise makes our bodies strong.
- Exercise helps us stay healthy (it helps us not get sick easily).
- Exercise makes us feel happy and full of energy.
- Exercise helps us sleep well at night.
Movement Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Wiggle, wiggle, little toes,
Clap, clap, clap, my hands all go.
Stretch up high, touch the sky,
Exercise makes me strong, oh my!
Jump, jump, jump, a little hop,
Moving my body, never stop!
Actions: Wiggle toes, clap hands, stretch arms up, jump/hop gently.
Watch and Move Along
Key Words
- Exercise – moving our body.
- Strong – having power.
- Healthy – not sick.
- Move – to change position.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Use very simple, repetitive language. Explain “exercise” by showing the charts and pointing to children moving. Go through each simple exercise one by one, demonstrating clearly. Emphasize the benefits using phrases like “makes us strong” and “helps us not get sick.”
What to show or demonstrate: Display charts and posters of children exercising. Physically demonstrate each simple exercise (clapping, waving, tapping feet, stretching, bending, small jumps) slowly and clearly for pupils to imitate.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Wiggle, Wiggle, Little Toes” rhyme as a fun way to move. Sing it slowly at first, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the rhyme several times, encouraging pupils to join in with both singing and actions. Make it energetic and joyful.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a chance to see other children exercising and to move along with them. Play the video, encouraging pupils to watch and imitate the movements they see. After the video, ask pupils what movements they saw or tried.
What to watch for: Observe pupils’ willingness to participate and their ability to imitate the simple movements. Ensure enough space for safe movement. Watch for any pupils who might be shy and gently encourage them to join in.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Imitation, Practical Activity, Picture Talk.
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and sings a short “Good Morning” song. The teacher then asks pupils how their bodies feel today – “Do you feel strong? Do you feel sleepy?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, sing along, and respond to the questions by making simple gestures or sounds.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson, connecting to their physical feelings.
Step 2: What is Exercise?
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the topic “Body Exercises.” Using simple words, the teacher explains that exercise means moving our bodies. The teacher shows charts and posters of children moving and asks, “What are these children doing? They are moving their bodies, they are exercising!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the charts and posters, listen to the teacher’s explanation, and point to the children moving.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to understand the basic concept of body exercise.
Step 3: Teacher Demonstration of Simple Exercises
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates simple exercises like clapping hands, waving arms, tapping feet, stretching arms up high, and bending knees. Each movement is shown slowly and clearly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher carefully, observing each movement.
Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct way to perform simple body movements.
Step 4: Guided Practice
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Imitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils to imitate the demonstrated exercises. The teacher says, “Now, let’s clap our hands together! Clap, clap, clap!” and then “Let’s wave our arms! Wave, wave, wave!” repeating for each exercise.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imitate the teacher’s movements, clapping, waving, tapping, stretching, and bending their bodies.
Learning Point: Pupils actively practise simple body exercises with guidance.
Step 5: Movement Rhyme
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Song/Rhyme Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the “Wiggle, Wiggle, Little Toes” rhyme. The teacher sings the rhyme with actions, encouraging pupils to join in the movements and repeat simple words.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, sing along with simple words, and perform the actions for the rhyme (wiggling toes, clapping, stretching, hopping).
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce body movements through a fun song and actions.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Reinforcement/Active Participation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays a short video clip of children doing simple exercises. The teacher encourages pupils to watch the video and try to move along with the children on the screen.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and attempt to imitate the exercises shown by the children in the video.
Learning Point: Pupils observe more examples of exercises and participate actively in movement.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4–5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- Show me how you clap your hands.
- Show me how you stretch your arms up high.
- Does exercise make our bodies strong or weak?
- Is moving our body (exercising) good for us?
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally (e.g., “strong,” “yes”) and demonstrate the required movements.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson and ability to perform simple exercises.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summary/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and for exercising their bodies. The teacher reminds them that moving their bodies every day helps them stay strong and healthy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and may clap their hands or make a happy sound.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to continue exercising to maintain good health.
Lesson Keywords
- Exercise – moving our body.
- Strong – having power.
- Healthy – not sick.
- Move – to change position.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult to imitate movements, the teacher can provide hand-over-hand guidance for simple actions like clapping. Instructions can be repeated more slowly, and larger, exaggerated gestures can be used.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the movements, the teacher can encourage them to try a slightly different variation of a movement (e.g., a small hop then a slightly bigger hop) or to name a body part they are moving during an exercise.
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