This unit introduces Nursery students to fundamental locomotor skills through engaging animal-themed movement exploration. By connecting different ways of travelling to familiar creatures, students develop body awareness, coordination, and spatial understanding in a playful, confidence-building environment. The unit establishes essential movement vocabulary and safety habits that underpin all future physical development.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Finding Spaces and Walking Safely
45 min

Big Question:

How can we move safely around others while exploring different ways of travelling?

Key Objectives:

  • • Develop spatial awareness by finding and using appropriate spaces
  • • Practice walking forwards and backwards with control and safety

Lesson 2

Space Awareness and Team Running
45 min

Big Question:

How can we move safely around others while working as a team?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop spatial awareness when moving in shared spaces
  • • To understand teamwork and taking turns

Lesson 3

Hopping Skills and Space Awareness
30 min

Big Question:

How can we hop like different animals while staying safe and sharing our space?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop hopping skills on both legs with control and balance
  • • To negotiate space safely and successfully around equipment and other children

Lesson 4

Jumping and Landing Control
45 min

Big Question:

How can we jump like different animals and land safely every time?

Key Objectives:

  • • Develop controlled jumping movements using different take-off and landing patterns
  • • Demonstrate safe landing techniques with bent knees and balanced body position

Lesson 5

Dodging and Sliding Skills
30 min

Big Question:

How can we move our bodies sideways like crabs and dodge around obstacles safely?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop sliding techniques moving left and right
  • • To practice dodging skills while negotiating space

Lesson 6

Galloping with Confidence
45 min

Big Question:

How can we gallop like horses while keeping control of objects and staying safe around our friends?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop galloping technique with both left and right lead legs
  • • To demonstrate object manipulation skills while galloping