This unit develops Reception students' fundamental movement skills through imaginative dance and creative expression, using engaging themes that capture their natural curiosity about the world around them. The focus is on building confidence in whole-body movement while developing rhythm, spatial awareness, and the ability to express ideas through dance. Through progression from simple counting movements to complex animal characterisation, students develop both physical coordination and creative storytelling abilities.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Counting and Movement
40 min

Big Question:

How can counting help us move together with music?

Key Objectives:

  • To use counting to help stay in time with the music
  • To copy and create different actions in dance

Lesson 2

Sea Creature Movements
40 min

Big Question:

How can we use our whole body to tell stories about creatures that live under the sea?

Key Objectives:

  • To move safely with confidence and imagination whilst exploring under the sea themes
  • To express and communicate ideas about sea creatures through creative movement

Lesson 3

Fireworks Dance with Props
40 min

Big Question:

How can we use our whole body and props to create the magic of fireworks through dance?

Key Objectives:

  • To explore movement using props safely and effectively
  • To move with control and coordination showing different levels and speeds

Lesson 4

Fireworks Dance Movements
40 min

Big Question:

How can we use our whole body to create an exciting fireworks display through dance?

Key Objectives:

  • To move with control and co-ordination whilst creating firework movements
  • To express and communicate ideas about fireworks through creative movement

Lesson 5

Jungle Animal Movements
40 min

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies to tell the story of different jungle animals?

Key Objectives:

  • To move with control and coordination whilst representing jungle animals
  • To explore and communicate movement ideas through dance

Lesson 6

Body Shapes and Movement Patterns
40 min

Big Question:

How can we use our whole body to create and travel along different shapes?

Key Objectives:

  • To remember and repeat movement actions with increasing control
  • To explore body actions, pathways and shapes through creative expression