Let’s ‘Play to Learn’
Encourage the children to explore:
- Holding balances inspired by resource cards
- Holding balances on low apparatus including body completely on apparatus and part on / part off
- Linking balances to other actions e.g. travelling and jumping
- Create a short series of linked actions on the floor – add in small/low apparatus
- Changes in direction in their sequence work
- Watching another child and helping them improve
Safety & Organisation
Ensure:
- the surface is clean and free from obstructions
- children work in ‘gardens’ – two per ‘garden’
Opportunities to
- develop increasing control and co-ordination
- use balance and stillness in their gymnastic activities
- improve what they do by watching and helping others
- recognise and use different pieces of equipment
Questions
- What can you do to help you hold your balance as still as possible?
- Which shape are you going to try next time?
- How did you balance on the agility table?
- What must you do with your feet and toes if they are off the floor?
- Where else could you look when you are holding that balance?
- What did you like about your partner’s balances? How could they improve them? Still, strong, clear shapes, pointed toes, etc.
- What did you learn from watching other children?
Can you see the child?
- Developing increasing control and co-ordination
- Using balance and stillness in their gymnastic activities
- Improving what they do by watching and helping others
- Recognising and using different pieces of equipment
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Most of the time
Encourage the child to:
- include changes in direction and level in their sequence
- create longer sequences
- include a wide range of small apparatus in their sequence work
- work with a partner to perform a ‘follow my leader’ sequence
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Sometimes
Encourage the child to:
- practise basic balances using Technical Skills Cards
- use more patch balances
- perform balances on a mat
- look at photographs to help them identify aspects to improve