Meaning of Exercise, Types and Importance for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: First Term
Week: 1
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Good eating habits.
Topic: EXERCISE: MEANING, TYPES AND IMPORTANCE
Subject Matter: Exercise – Meaning of exercise – Types of exercise – Importance of exercises.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define exercise in simple terms.
• Identify different types of exercises.
• State at least two importance of exercising.

Affective Domain

• Show enthusiasm for participating in physical activities.
• Appreciate the benefits of regular exercise.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate simple exercise movements like jogging on a spot, stretching, and bending.
• Participate actively in guided exercise routines.

Social Domain

• Listen attentively to the teacher’s instructions.
• Participate cooperatively in group exercise activities.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4; Early Childhood Care and Education resources; relevant Health Habits workbook.

Instructional Materials

Charts showing children exercising, MP4 player with exercise videos, open space for movement, pictures of people doing different exercises.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 5-year-olds as it introduces them to the concept of physical activity and its benefits for a healthy body. Understanding exercise at this age encourages good habits for physical well-being, helping children grow strong and energetic.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can already move their bodies in various ways, such as running, jumping, and playing. They may have observed adults or older children exercising.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

EXERCISE: MEANING, TYPES AND IMPORTANCE

Exercise means moving our bodies to make them strong and healthy. When we run, jump, stretch, or dance, we are exercising!

Types of Exercise

There are many ways to exercise. Here are some simple ones we can do:

• Jogging on a spot: Moving your feet like you are running, but staying in one place.
• Stretching: Making your arms and legs long, like reaching for the sky or touching your toes.
• Bending: Moving your body forward or sideways, like bending down to pick something up.
• Twisting: Turning your body from side to side.
• Hopping: Jumping on one foot.
• Jumping: Pushing off the ground with both feet.
• Dancing: Moving your body to music.

Importance of Exercise

Exercising is very good for us! It helps us:

• Have a strong body and strong muscles.
• Stay healthy and not get sick often.
• Feel happy and full of energy.
• Sleep well at night.
• Play better with our friends.

Key Words

• Exercise – Moving our bodies to be strong and healthy.
• Strong – Having power in our muscles.
• Healthy – Not sick, feeling good.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

The teacher should display charts showing children engaged in various exercises (running, jumping, stretching). The teacher will also demonstrate each type of exercise clearly for the pupils to see and imitate.

Movement Rhyme: “Move Your Body”

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Move your body, strong and free,
Helps you grow so happily.
Stretch your arms up, touch your toes,
Round and round your body goes.
Jog in place, then jump so high,
Healthy children, you and I!

Actions: Pupils will follow the actions mentioned in the rhyme: stretching arms up, touching toes, twisting body, jogging in place, and jumping.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the rhyme together, encouraging pupils to perform the actions as they sing. Repeat it several times to reinforce the movements and the idea of exercise.

Watch and Move Along

The teacher will play a short, engaging video about exercise for children, encouraging pupils to watch and imitate the movements shown.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Demonstration, Guided Practice, Play-based Learning, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Imitation, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they like to do to play. The teacher then asks if they remember what makes our bodies strong and healthy.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greeting and share their favourite play activities. They may recall previous lessons on healthy habits.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and recall prior knowledge related to healthy living.

Step 2: Presentation – Meaning of Exercise

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains in simple terms what exercise means: “Exercise is when we move our bodies to make them strong and healthy, like running, jumping, and playing.” The teacher shows pictures of children exercising.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively to the explanation and look at the pictures. They repeat the meaning of exercise after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the simple meaning of exercise.

Step 3: Demonstration – Types of Exercise

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstrating/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates various simple exercises such as jogging on a spot, stretching arms and legs, bending, and twisting. The teacher names each exercise as it is demonstrated.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstrations carefully and try to imitate the movements.

Learning Point: Pupils observe and begin to recognise different types of exercises.

Step 4: Guided Practice – Performing Exercises

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guiding/Facilitating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides the pupils to perform the demonstrated exercises together. The teacher calls out each exercise (e.g., “Let’s jog on the spot!”) and encourages everyone to participate.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively engage in performing the exercises under the teacher’s guidance, trying their best to follow the movements.

Learning Point: Pupils practise performing simple exercises and develop motor skills.

Step 5: Reinforcement – Rhyme and Video

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcing/Integrating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Move Your Body” rhyme with actions. Afterwards, the teacher plays a short, engaging exercise video and encourages pupils to move along.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and move their bodies along with the video, enjoying the activity.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of exercise through song and visual demonstration.

Step 6: Discussion – Importance of Exercise

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussing/Explaining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils, “Why do you think it’s good to exercise?” and guides them to understand that exercise makes us strong, healthy, happy, and helps us sleep well. The teacher uses simple language and examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their ideas and listen to the teacher’s explanation, repeating the benefits of exercise.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance and benefits of exercising.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. What does exercise mean? (Ask pupils to say in their own words).
2. Show me one exercise you learned today.
3. Tell me one reason why it is good to exercise.
4. Can you point to a picture of someone exercising? (Using charts).

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: Summarising/Encouraging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reminding pupils that exercising every day helps them grow big and strong. The teacher encourages them to play actively at home.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and affirm their understanding.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practise exercise regularly.

Lesson Keywords

• Exercise – Moving your body to be strong and healthy.
• Stretch – To make your body parts long.
• Bend – To move your body forward or sideways.
• Healthy – Feeling good and not sick.
• Strong – Having power in your muscles.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who find it difficult to follow movements, the teacher will provide one-on-one guidance, use hand-over-hand assistance, or simplify movements to just arm or leg actions. Larger, clearer picture charts will be used. Repetition will be key.

Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concepts, the teacher can ask them to demonstrate an exercise not shown or to name more benefits of exercise. They can also be encouraged to lead a simple movement for their peers.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure a safe, open space for pupils to move freely. Prepare the charts and MP4 player in advance. The main idea children must grasp is that moving their bodies in different ways (exercise) makes them strong and healthy. Judge understanding by what children can *do* (demonstrate an exercise) and *say* (simple meaning, one benefit). Encourage all pupils to participate, even if their movements are not perfect. Emphasize fun and enjoyment during the activities. Repeat the rhyme and movements often throughout the week to reinforce learning.