Lesson 1 - Finding Spaces and Walking Safely
Animal Movement Exploration
•Nursery
•Fundamental Movement Skills
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can we move safely around others while exploring different ways of travelling?
Learning Objectives
- Develop spatial awareness by finding and using appropriate spaces
- Practice walking forwards and backwards with control and safety
- Learn to follow visual instructions and respond to signals
Key Outcomes
- Children will confidently find spaces away from others and equipment
- Children will walk forwards and backwards showing awareness of others
- Children will demonstrate understanding of safety when moving
Equipment & Resources Required
Place all in centre circle for final game
Alternative: Soft balls, foam blocks, stuffed animals
Teacher holds and shows clearly to all children
Alternative: Coloured cards, cones, or scarves
Placed around perimeter for team collection points
Alternative: Marked areas with tape, buckets, or boxes
Ensure all children can hear clearly
Alternative: Whistle, drum, or voice
Key Vocabulary
An area where you can move without touching others or equipment
Moving in the direction you are facing
Moving in the opposite direction to where you are facing
Red means stop, green means go, yellow means get ready
Moving around others without bumping into them
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of stop and go
- Ability to follow simple instructions
- Beginning awareness of personal space
Current Skills
- Finding appropriate spaces independently
- Walking with control in different directions
- Following visual signals for movement
Next Steps
- Running with direction changes
- More complex locomotion patterns
- Team movement activities
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Safety awareness is paramount - always check surroundings before moving backwards
- Good spaces are away from walls, equipment, and other people
- Visual attention skills are crucial for following signals without verbal prompts
- Walking technique involves heel-toe action with head up for safety
- Team cooperation and turn-taking are as important as individual skill development
- Self-assessment helps children understand their own learning progress
- Backwards walking requires particular attention to spatial awareness and checking
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking any empty spot is a 'good space' - teach criteria for appropriate spacing
- Believing faster movement is better - emphasise control over speed
- Assuming backwards walking is just forwards walking in reverse - teach specific safety techniques
- Thinking competition is about winning - focus on skill development and effort
- Believing they can't learn if they need practice - normalize learning process
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Keep activities short with clear transitions, provide additional movement opportunities, use visual and kinesthetic learning approaches
dyspraxia
- Break down movements into smaller steps, provide additional practice time, use visual and verbal cues together for motor planning
autism spectrum
- Provide clear visual schedule of activities, allow sensory breaks if needed, use consistent language and routines throughout
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured signals held close to child, provide verbal descriptions of spatial layout, assign sighted buddy for navigation support
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual signals for all instructions, demonstrate all movements clearly, use simple sign language or visual cards for key concepts
physical disability
- Adapt movements to seated or supported positions, use modified equipment if needed, focus on achievable movement goals
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting bean bags in teams, understanding concepts of forwards/backwards direction, spatial awareness and positioning
Science
Understanding how our bodies move, balance and coordination, cause and effect with stopping and starting
PSHE
Taking turns in teams, following rules for safety, cooperation and sharing, building confidence and self-awareness
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter during activities to maintain visual contact with all children, position centrally during instruction giving
Observation Focus
Watch for spatial awareness development, response to visual signals, walking technique improvement, and social cooperation
Intervention Points
Step in if backwards walking becomes unsafe, support children struggling with space concepts, manage overexcitement during games
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: All movements with exaggerated clarity for nursery age children, use visual and physical prompts alongside verbal instructions, model safety checking behaviours consistently
Verbal Cues
- •'Heads up, eyes forward!'
- •'Check over your shoulder before stepping back!'
- •'Find your own safe space!'
- •'Gentle movements, stay in control!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 15m clear indoor space, free from obstacles
Surface Check
Clean, dry, non-slip surface suitable for lying down during bean game
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Bean bags inspected for tears and secure seams
- •Hoops checked for cracks or sharp edges
- •Coloured signals clearly visible and safely handled
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during backwards walking
- •Falls during jumping and animal movements
- •Overexcitement leading to loss of control
Risk Mitigation
- •Constant emphasis on shoulder checking during backwards movement
- •Clear boundaries and adequate spacing maintained
- •Regular reminders about controlled movements
- •Teacher positioning for maximum visibility and quick intervention
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to see all children during backwards walking practice
- •Monitor closely during team games for safe running
- •Watch for children needing additional support or guidance
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately if injury occurs, assess and provide appropriate first aid, ensure other children remain calm and safe