Turning the head, neck and eyes for Primary 1

Class: Primary 1
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 6 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Motor Skills Development
Focal competence: Moving the body parts with good body balance
Key competencies/values: Safety Awareness

Skills:

• Moving of the body parts with flexibility, balance and coordination

Previous Lesson: Raising the hands and lifting the legs
Topic: Moving Our Body Parts 1: Head, Neck And Eye Movements
Subject Matter: Turning the head, neck, eyes

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify safe ways to move the head, neck, and eyes.
• State movements to avoid to prevent neck strain.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of gentle and controlled body movements.
• Show willingness to participate in physical activities safely.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate safe head turning and nodding movements.
• Demonstrate gentle neck movements within a safe range.
• Demonstrate moving the eyes left, right, up, and down.
• Coordinate head and eye movements.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Cones or safe markers
• Whistle where appropriate
• Open safe activity space
• Appropriate sportswear
• Pictures showing correct and incorrect head/neck postures

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for developing pupils’ basic motor skills and body awareness. Learning to move the head, neck, and eyes safely helps prevent injuries and promotes good posture. These foundational movements are essential for more complex physical activities and overall physical well-being.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify basic body parts like the head, neck, and eyes.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Moving Our Body Parts 1: Head, Neck And Eye Movements

Head Movements

The head can move in different ways. We need to move it gently and safely.

1. Head Turning: Gently turn the head from side to side (left and right).
2. Head Nodding: Gently nod the head up and down (saying “yes”).

Neck Movements

The neck connects the head to the body. It allows the head to move. We must move our neck gently.

1. Gentle Range: Move the neck slowly and gently, only as far as it feels comfortable.
2. Movements to Avoid: Do not force the neck to turn too far or too fast, as this can cause strain or injury. Avoid sudden jerking movements.

Eye Movements

Our eyes help us see. We can move our eyes without moving our head.

1. Looking Left and Right: Move the eyes to look to the left, then to the right.
2. Looking Up and Down: Move the eyes to look up, then to look down.

Coordinating Head and Eye Movements

Sometimes, we move our head and eyes together to look at something.

1. Practice moving the head and eyes together to follow an object.

Safe Practice and Correct Posture

Always remember to:

1. Move slowly and gently.
2. Keep a good, upright posture.
3. Do not force any movement.
4. Stop if you feel any pain.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Demonstration, Guided Practice, Observation, Question and Answer, Explanation

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Warming Up/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, leads a simple warm-up exercise (e.g., marching on the spot), and asks them to identify their head, neck, and eyes. The teacher reminds them about safety.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, participate in the warm-up, and point to their head, neck, and eyes.

Learning Point: Body parts identification

Step 2: Head Turning and Nodding

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates gentle head turning (left and right) and nodding (up and down) movements. The teacher instructs pupils to perform these movements slowly and without forcing.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher and then gently practice head turning and nodding movements.

Learning Point: Safe head movements

Step 3: Gentle Neck Movements

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Safety Instruction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates gentle neck movements, emphasizing moving within a comfortable range. The teacher explains and shows movements to avoid, such as sudden jerking or overstretching.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch carefully and then practice gentle neck movements, being mindful of the safe range and avoiding harmful actions.

Learning Point: Gentle neck movements

Step 4: Eye Movements

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates moving the eyes left, right, up, and down without moving the head. The teacher encourages pupils to focus on moving only their eyes.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher and then practice moving their eyes in different directions.

Learning Point: Eye movement practice

Step 5: Coordinating Head and Eye Movements

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Coordination

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to coordinate head and eye movements, for example, by slowly turning the head to look at an object while also moving the eyes. The teacher guides pupils to practice this coordination.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice coordinating their head and eye movements, following the teacher’s instructions.

Learning Point: Head-eye coordination

Step 6: Reinforcing Safe Practice and Posture

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Correction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reminds pupils about maintaining correct posture and performing all movements slowly and gently. The teacher corrects any incorrect or unsafe movements observed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the reminders and adjust their posture and movements as guided by the teacher.

Learning Point: Correct posture importance

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Show me how to turn your head safely to the left.
2. Demonstrate a gentle neck movement.
3. How do you move your eyes to look up?
4. What kind of neck movements should we avoid?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Movement assessment

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on head, neck, and eye movements into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly recaps the importance of moving the head, neck, and eyes gently and safely. The teacher praises pupils for their participation and reminds them to always be careful when moving their body parts.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and give a final cheer.

Learning Point: Lesson recap

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Practice the movements learned in class at home and draw pictures of someone safely turning their head and moving their eyes.

1. Practice turning your head gently from side to side.
2. Practice nodding your head up and down gently.
3. Practice moving your eyes to look left, right, up, and down.
4. Draw a picture of a child safely turning their head.
5. Draw a picture of a child moving their eyes to look up.

Lesson Keywords

• Head – The top part of the body.
• Neck – The part of the body that connects the head to the shoulders.
• Eyes – The body parts we use for seeing.
• Turn – To move around an axis or center.
• Nod – To move the head up and down.
• Gently – In a careful and soft way.
• Safely – Without risk of danger or injury.
• Posture – The way one holds one’s body.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide more individual demonstration and hands-on guidance for each movement. Use simple verbal cues and allow them to practice at their own pace. Pair them with a stronger learner for peer support.

For faster learners: Challenge them to create a short sequence of head, neck, and eye movements. Ask them to explain why certain movements are unsafe or to identify other body parts that can move in different directions.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search on YouTube for: “Primary 1 head neck eye movements physical education”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure the activity space is clear and safe, free from any obstacles. Have cones or markers ready if you plan to use them to define personal space. Begin with a light warm-up to prepare pupils’ bodies for movement. When demonstrating, exaggerate the slow and gentle nature of the movements. Emphasise that pupils should only move within their comfortable range and never force a movement. Pay close attention to individual pupils during practice, offering immediate, gentle corrections for any unsafe or incorrect techniques. Encourage pupils to maintain good posture throughout the activities. The Board Summary notes should be copied by pupils after the main activities, providing a written record of what they have learned. Conclude by reinforcing the importance of safety and gentle movement in everyday activities.