Meaning of Table Tennis, Basic Skills and Equipment for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4

Term: Third Term

Week: 9

Age: 5 years

Duration: 30 minutes

Subject: Physical and Health Education

Curriculum Theme: Physical and Health Education

Previous Lesson: Simple physical activities and games.

Topic: TABLE TENNIS: MEANING, BASIC SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT

Subject Matter: TABLE TENNIS – Concept of table tennis – Skills: gripping, serving, stroking, returning. Equipment: Ball, table, net, bats.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• State the meaning of table tennis in simple terms.
• List at least two basic skills of table tennis.
• Identify at least two pieces of equipment used in table tennis.

Affective Domain

• Show interest in learning about table tennis.
• Listen attentively to the teacher’s explanations and demonstrations.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate how to grip a table tennis bat correctly.
• Attempt a simple table tennis serve (bouncing and tapping the ball).
• Practise a gentle table tennis stroke.

Social Domain

• Participate actively in the physical activities.
• Take turns when practising skills.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4.
• Early Childhood Care and Education textbooks.
• Relevant physical education resources for early years.

Instructional Materials

• Table tennis bats (or small paddles)
• Table tennis balls (or soft, light balls)
• A small table or desk (to represent a table tennis table)
• A string or tape (to represent a net)
• Pictures or charts showing table tennis equipment and players.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces Pre-School Level 4 pupils to the basic concepts and skills of table tennis. It helps develop their hand-eye coordination, fine and gross motor skills, and promotes physical activity in a fun and engaging way. Understanding simple games also encourages social interaction and following rules from an early age.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with various balls and simple games, and have engaged in basic physical movements like running, jumping, and throwing.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

TABLE TENNIS: MEANING, BASIC SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT

Meaning of Table Tennis

Table tennis is a fun indoor game played on a special table. Two or four people can play. They use small bats to hit a light ball over a net on the table.

• It is also called “Ping-Pong.”
• It helps us move our hands and eyes together.

Basic Skills in Table Tennis (Simplified for Preschool)

These are simple ways we move our body and the bat to play the game:

1. Gripping: This is how you hold the bat. Hold it gently but firmly, like shaking hands with the bat.
2. Serving: This is how you start the game. Bounce the ball once and gently tap it with the bat over the “net.”
3. Stroking: This is hitting the ball gently back and forth. You move your arm forward to push the ball.
4. Returning: This is hitting the ball back to the other player after they hit it to you.

Equipment for Table Tennis

These are the things we need to play table tennis:

1. Table: A special table with a line in the middle.
2. Net: A small net placed across the middle of the table.
3. Bats: Small paddles used to hit the ball.
4. Ball: A very light, small, round ball.

Key Words

• Table Tennis – A game played with bats and a ball on a table.
• Bat – The paddle used to hit the ball.
• Ball – The small, light object hit in the game.
• Serve – To start the game by hitting the ball.
• Stroke – To hit the ball with the bat.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Display actual table tennis bats and balls.
• Set up a small table with a string or tape as a “net” to demonstrate.
• Show pictures of a table tennis table and people playing.
• Demonstrate the correct way to grip the bat.
• Demonstrate a simple serve (bouncing and gently tapping).
• Demonstrate a gentle stroking motion.

Movement Rhyme: “Tap, Tap, Ping-Pong Ball”

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Tap, tap, ping-pong ball,
Over the net, we hit you all.
Hold the bat, so nice and tight,
Hit the ball with all your might (gently, gently!).
Tap, tap, ping-pong ball,
Let’s play table tennis, one and all!

Actions:

• “Tap, tap, ping-pong ball” – Gently tap an imaginary ball with a bat.
• “Over the net, we hit you all” – Swing bat across body.
• “Hold the bat, so nice and tight” – Pretend to grip a bat.
• “Hit the ball with all your might (gently, gently!)” – Make a gentle hitting motion.
• “Tap, tap, ping-pong ball” – Repeat gentle tapping.
• “Let’s play table tennis, one and all!” – Clap hands.

How to use the rhyme: Recite the rhyme while demonstrating the actions. Encourage pupils to join in with the actions and words to reinforce the concept of hitting the ball and holding the bat.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them about different games they like to play with a ball. The teacher then introduces the topic by showing a table tennis ball and bat.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and observe the ball and bat with curiosity.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the topic of table tennis.

Step 2: Concept of Table Tennis

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what table tennis is in simple terms, using pictures of a table tennis game. The teacher explains that it’s an indoor game played on a table with a net, bats, and a small ball.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and look at the pictures, asking simple questions.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic idea of table tennis.

Step 3: Identifying Equipment

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Manipulation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the actual table tennis bat and ball. The teacher also points to a makeshift table and string/tape as the “table” and “net.” The teacher names each item clearly and asks pupils to repeat the names.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the equipment, touch them if safe, and repeat the names: “bat,” “ball,” “table,” “net.”

Learning Point: Pupils can identify and name basic table tennis equipment.

Step 4: Practising Gripping the Bat

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to hold the table tennis bat correctly (the “handshake” grip). The teacher guides each pupil to hold a bat and practise the grip, offering individual help.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils collect a bat and practise gripping it as demonstrated by the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils learn how to hold a table tennis bat.

Step 5: Practising Simple Serving

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates a very simple serve: bounce the ball gently on the table (or floor) and then tap it softly with the bat. The teacher guides pupils to try this action, emphasizing gentleness and control.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns or find space to practise bouncing the ball and gently tapping it with their bat.

Learning Point: Pupils attempt a basic table tennis serve.

Step 6: Practising Gentle Stroking and Rhyme Reinforcement

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates a gentle stroking motion, moving the bat forward. The teacher then leads the pupils in the “Tap, Tap, Ping-Pong Ball” rhyme, encouraging them to do the actions while repeating the words. The teacher supervises pupils as they try gentle strokes.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils join in the rhyme with actions and words. They then practise making gentle stroking motions with their bats.

Learning Point: Pupils practise gentle stroking motions and reinforce learning through a rhyme.

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.

1. “What is this game called?” (pointing to the setup)
2. “Show me how you hold the bat.”
3. “Name one thing we use to play table tennis.”
4. “Try to tap the ball gently with your bat.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summary/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and effort. The teacher reminds them that table tennis is a fun way to exercise and develop hand-eye coordination. The teacher encourages them to practise more.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher and tidy up the materials.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to continue practising and appreciate the benefits of the game.

Lesson Keywords

• Table Tennis – A fun indoor game played on a table with bats and a light ball.
• Bat – The small paddle used to hit the table tennis ball.
• Ball – The very light, small, round object used in table tennis.
• Serve – The action of starting a table tennis game by hitting the ball.
• Stroke – The movement of hitting the ball with the bat during play.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle with gripping, provide larger, easier-to-hold paddles. Offer more one-on-one guidance for serving and stroking, using hand-over-hand assistance. Allow them to practise with a softer, slightly larger ball if available.
• Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the skills, challenge them to gently tap the ball against a wall or to try hitting the ball a few times back and forth with a partner (if space and supervision allow). Ask them to name more equipment or describe a skill in their own words.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have enough table tennis bats (or small, child-friendly paddles) and balls for all pupils to participate actively, or for small groups to take turns. Set up a designated area with a small table or desk to represent the table tennis table, and use a string or tape as a net. Emphasize safety throughout the lesson, especially when pupils are swinging bats. The focus for this age group is on developing basic hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills, not on playing a full game. Simplify the skills to gentle tapping and basic movements. Observe how pupils grip the bat and make contact with the ball. Encourage participation and celebrate small successes to build confidence. Repeat the rhyme and actions frequently to reinforce learning. Understanding can be observed through their ability to hold the bat, make a simple tapping motion, and name the equipment.