Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have a clear, safe space for pupils to move freely. Prepare pictures of children performing various exercises and have music ready for the movement rhyme or song. The central idea for pupils is that moving their bodies (exercise) makes them strong and healthy. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can demonstrate simple exercises and explain, in their own words, why exercise is good for them.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 8
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Simple movements and play activities
Topic: EXERCISE
Subject Matter: Meaning, examples and importance of exercise.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Give a simple meaning of exercise.
- Identify different examples of exercise.
- State at least two reasons why exercise is important.
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm for exercising.
- Appreciate the benefits of staying active.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate simple exercises like jumping, running, and stretching.
- Participate actively in group exercise activities.
Social Domain
- Take turns and share space safely during group exercises.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- Relevant early-years health and physical education materials
Instructional Materials
- Chart showing children exercising (e.g., running, jumping, dancing)
- Posters with pictures of healthy, active children
- Open space for movement
- Music player with child-friendly exercise songs
- Video display (TV/projector) for showing exercise videos
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds because it introduces them to the concept of exercise as a fun way to keep their bodies strong and healthy. Understanding the meaning and importance of exercise at this age encourages good habits for physical development, energy, and overall well-being, helping them grow into active children.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils are familiar with moving their bodies through play, running around, and dancing at home and in school.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Meaning, Examples, and Importance of Exercise
What is Exercise?
Exercise means moving our bodies to make them strong and healthy. When we play and move a lot, we are exercising!
Examples of Exercise
- Running: Moving fast with our legs.
- Jumping: Pushing off the ground with our feet.
- Dancing: Moving our bodies to music.
- Stretching: Making our arms and legs long.
- Walking: Moving from one place to another.
- Playing: Many games like football, skipping, and tag are exercise.
Why is Exercise Important?
Exercise helps us:
- Have a strong body and strong muscles.
- Have a healthy heart.
- Feel happy and have lots of energy.
- Sleep well at night.
- Grow big and tall.
Key Words
- Exercise – moving our body to be strong.
- Strong – having power in our muscles.
- Healthy – feeling good and not sick.
- Jump – to push off the ground.
- Run – to move fast with our legs.
Our Exercise Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Move your body, strong and free,
Exercise for you and me.
Jump and run, and stretch up high,
Touch the ground and reach the sky.
Move your body, strong and free,
Healthy, happy, you will be!
Actions: Jump on “jump,” run in place on “run,” stretch arms up high on “stretch up high,” bend down on “touch the ground,” reach up on “reach the sky.”
Watch and Move Along
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Explain “What is Exercise?” using simple language and actions. Show the chart and posters to illustrate examples. For “Why is Exercise Important?”, ask pupils what they feel after playing to connect it to real experience.
What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate each exercise example (running in place, jumping, stretching arms up, dancing a little). Point to pictures of children doing these activities.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Our Exercise Rhyme” by singing it slowly first, then adding the actions. Repeat it 2-3 times, encouraging pupils to join in with both singing and actions.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see and do more exercises. Play the video “The Exercise Song for Kids” (The Kiboomers). Encourage pupils to watch the movements and try to follow along safely in their space. After the video, ask them what new exercises they saw or tried.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand that exercise is movement, can name some examples, and are willing to participate. Encourage all pupils, especially those who might be shy, to try the movements.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and starts with a quick “Wake Up Body” chant or song to get them moving a little. The teacher then asks, “What do we do to make our bodies strong and healthy?” and introduces the topic of exercise.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, participate in the chant/song, and listen as the teacher introduces the topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the lesson’s focus.
Step 2: Meaning of Exercise
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Building
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what exercise means in simple terms: “Exercise is when we move our bodies a lot to make them strong and healthy, just like when you play and run around!” The teacher shows pictures of children actively moving.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, look at the pictures, and repeat the simple meaning of exercise after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic meaning of exercise.
Step 3: Examples of Exercise (Demonstration)
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates various simple exercises like running in place, jumping, stretching arms up, and dancing. For each exercise, the teacher says its name and encourages pupils to imitate the movement.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstrations and imitate each exercise, moving their bodies actively.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and physically demonstrate different types of exercises.
Step 4: Importance of Exercise (Discussion)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “Why do you think it’s good for us to exercise?” and guides pupils to understand the importance (strong body, healthy heart, happy, good sleep). The teacher uses simple language and relates it to how they feel after playing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their ideas and listen to the teacher’s explanation of why exercise is important.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the benefits of exercise for their health.
Step 5: Rhyme/Song Reinforcement
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Creative Expression
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces “Our Exercise Rhyme” and sings it with actions. The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and perform the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, sing along, and perform the actions of the exercise rhyme.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of exercise through song and movement.
Step 6: Video and Practice
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Learning/Active Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “The Exercise Song for Kids” video and encourages pupils to watch and follow the movements shown. The teacher ensures pupils have enough space to move safely.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and actively participate by imitating the exercises demonstrated in the video.
Learning Point: Pupils engage with a visual aid and practice a wider range of exercises.
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.
- “What does it mean to exercise?”
- “Show me one way you can exercise.” (e.g., jump, run in place)
- “Why is exercise good for your body?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summary/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their active participation and reminds them to exercise every day to stay strong and healthy. The teacher ends with a cheer for exercise.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and participate in the cheer.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to continue exercising daily.
Lesson Keywords
- Exercise – moving our body to be strong and healthy.
- Strong – having good power in our muscles.
- Healthy – feeling good and not sick.
- Jump – to push off the ground with our feet.
- Run – to move fast using our legs.
- Dance – to move our body to music.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are less active or find it hard to follow movements, the teacher can provide one-on-one guidance, simplify movements, or allow them to watch and join in when they feel comfortable. Use hand-over-hand guidance for specific actions if needed.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concepts, the teacher can ask them to name more examples of exercise they do at home or suggest a new exercise for the class to try. They can also lead a part of the exercise demonstration.
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