Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before this lesson, ensure a safe, soft space is prepared for physical activity, such as a clean mat indoors or a soft, grassy area outdoors. You will need to demonstrate somersaulting clearly and safely, guiding pupils through each step. The central idea is for pupils to understand what somersaulting is and, most importantly, how to perform it with safe body movements. Successful learning will be observed when pupils attempt to roll forward, tucking their heads and using their hands for support.

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 8
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Physical and Health Education
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: SOMERSAULTING: MEANING AND SAFE BODY MOVEMENT
Subject Matter: Somersaulting: Meaning and Safe Body Movement

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Explain what somersaulting means in simple terms.
Identify key safety rules for somersaulting.

Affective Domain

Show enthusiasm for trying somersaulting.
Listen carefully to safety instructions.

Psychomotor Domain

Demonstrate the initial safe body movements for a somersault (e.g., tucking the head, placing hands).
Attempt a guided somersault on a soft surface.

Take turns and wait patiently during practice.
Follow the teacher’s instructions for safe movement.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

Soft mats or a clean, soft grassy area
Pictures of children somersaulting safely
Video demonstrating safe somersaulting for children

Rationale for the Lesson

Learning about somersaulting and safe body movement helps 4-year-olds develop crucial gross motor skills, coordination, and body awareness. It also teaches them the importance of safety precautions during physical activities, which is a vital life skill for preventing injuries.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can follow simple instructions and have engaged in basic body movements like bending, squatting, and rolling on the ground.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

SOMERSAULTING: MEANING AND SAFE BODY MOVEMENT

What is Somersaulting?

Somersaulting means rolling your body forward, head over heels, like a soft ball. You start standing or squatting, put your hands on the ground, tuck your head, and roll over.

Why is Safe Movement Important?

It is very important to somersault safely so we don’t hurt ourselves. We must always:

Use a soft place like a mat or soft grass.
Tuck our head in like a tortoise in its shell.
Push with our hands to help us roll.
Roll smoothly like a ball.

Steps for a Safe Somersault

Squat Down: Bend your knees and squat low to the ground.
Hands Down: Place your hands flat on the mat in front of you.
Tuck Your Head: Bring your chin to your chest, tucking your head down.
Push and Roll: Gently push with your hands and feet to roll forward over your back, not your head.
Stand Up: Finish by standing up tall.

Movement Rhyme: The Safe Roll

Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Roll, roll, roll so slow,
Tuck your head and down you go.
Hands on the mat, push with glee,
Safe somersault for you and me!

Actions: Squat down, tuck head, put hands on floor, make rolling motion.

Watch and Practise Safe Somersaulting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3xK0t9l9_Q

Key Words

Somersault – rolling forward like a ball.
Roll – to turn over and over.
Safe – not in danger, protected from harm.
Mat – a soft pad used for exercise.
Tuck – to pull in tightly.

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Begin by asking pupils if they know what rolling like a ball means. Explain somersaulting in simple words, using hand gestures to show the rolling motion. Emphasize the importance of safety before any demonstration or practice.

What to show or demonstrate: Show pictures of children somersaulting safely. Clearly demonstrate each step of the safe somersault on a mat, breaking it down into squatting, placing hands, tucking the head, pushing, and rolling. Repeat the demonstration several times.

How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce “The Safe Roll” rhyme. Sing it slowly with the pupils, performing the actions (squatting, tucking head, placing hands, making a rolling motion). Repeat the rhyme several times to help pupils remember the safety steps.

How to use the video: Introduce the video as a way to see other children doing safe somersaults. Play the video, pausing to point out the children tucking their heads and using their hands. After watching, encourage pupils to mimic the safe movements shown.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils are tucking their heads correctly and using their hands for support. Ensure they are attempting to roll over their backs, not directly on their heads. Provide close supervision during all practice sessions.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning
Demonstration
Guided Practice
Songs and Rhymes
Video Demonstration
Repetition
Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads a short warm-up activity like stretching and gentle rolling on their backs. The teacher then asks, “Who likes to roll like a ball?” and introduces the topic of somersaulting.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, participate in warm-up exercises, and respond to the question.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and ready for the lesson.

Step 2: Meaning of Somersaulting

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what somersaulting means using simple language and shows pictures of children performing somersaults. “Somersaulting means rolling your body forward, head over heels, like a soft ball.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, look at the pictures, and try to understand the meaning.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic meaning of somersaulting.

Step 3: Importance of Safe Movement

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Safety Instruction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses why it’s important to somersault safely. The teacher emphasizes using a soft mat, tucking the head, and pushing with hands. “We must always be safe so we don’t get hurt!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the safety rules and repeat key phrases like “soft mat” and “tuck head.”

Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance of safety during somersaulting.

Step 4: Demonstration of Safe Somersault

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the steps for a safe somersault on a soft mat, breaking down each movement: squat, hands down, tuck head, push, and roll. The teacher repeats the demonstration slowly.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully, observing each step.

Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct and safe way to perform a somersault.

Step 5: Guided Practice

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Supervision

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites pupils one by one or in small supervised groups to attempt the somersault, providing close guidance and support for each step, especially tucking the head. “Remember to tuck your head like a tortoise!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils try to perform the somersault with the teacher’s guidance and support.

Learning Point: Pupils practice and apply safe somersaulting movements.

Step 6: Reinforcement with Rhyme and Video

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Media Use

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing “The Safe Roll” rhyme with actions. The teacher then plays the video demonstrating safe somersaulting, encouraging pupils to watch for the safety steps.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, identifying safe movements.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of safe somersaulting through song and visual examples.

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 somersaulting mean?”
“Show me how you tuck your head for a somersault.”
“What kind of surface should we use for somersaulting?”
Observe pupils attempting a safe somersault (focus on head tuck and hand placement).

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/Praise

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their effort and safe practice. The teacher reminds them to always somersault in a safe place with an adult watching.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the teacher’s instructions.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate the lesson and receive positive reinforcement.

Lesson Keywords

Somersault – rolling your body forward like a ball.
Roll – to turn over and over.
Safe – not in danger or protected from harm.
Mat – a soft pad used for exercise.
Tuck – to pull in tightly.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who are hesitant or struggling, provide more physical assistance (e.g., gentle hand-over-hand guidance for tucking the head or supporting the roll). Encourage simpler rolling movements first, without the full somersault.
Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, encourage them to attempt a smoother roll or focus on standing up quickly after the somersault. They can also demonstrate the steps to a peer.