This unit introduces Reception students to creative movement through beloved nursery rhymes, combining physical development with literacy and imaginative play. The familiar stories provide a secure framework for students to explore different ways of moving, develop body awareness, and build confidence in creative expression. Through progressive movement challenges, students learn to interpret stories physically while developing fundamental movement skills and creative thinking.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Moving in Sequence
30 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers to tell the story of Humpty Dumpty?

Key Objectives:

  • To explore different movements using different parts of the body
  • To create and perform movement sequences based on the Humpty Dumpty rhyme

Lesson 2

Creating Our Own Movements to Jack and Jill
30 min

Big Question:

How can we become champion dancers by creating our own movements to tell the story of Jack and Jill?

Key Objectives:

  • To create their own movement ideas relating to specific words in the Jack and Jill nursery rhyme
  • To add movements together to form a sequence that tells the story

Lesson 3

Creating Simple Movement Sequences
30 min

Big Question:

How can we move like champion dancers to tell the story of Hickory Dickory Dock?

Key Objectives:

  • To create simple movement sequences that relate to specific words
  • To add movements together to form a sequence

Lesson 4

Three Little Pigs Movement Response
30 min

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies to tell the story of the Three Little Pigs through movement?

Key Objectives:

  • To explore larger scale travelling movements responding to words and music
  • To create and perform movements that represent different characters from the story

Lesson 5

Moving to Contrasting Tempos
30 min

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies to tell the story of The Three Little Pigs through movement?

Key Objectives:

  • To respond to words and music using different parts of the body
  • To explore moving at contrasting tempos (light and heavy)

Lesson 6

Character Movement and Partner Work
30 min

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies to tell the story of Little Miss Muffet through movement?

Key Objectives:

  • To explore character movements representing spiders and Little Miss Muffet
  • To develop partner work skills in creative movement