Champion Gymnasts: Foundation Movement and Body Awareness
•Reception
•Gymnastics
•Spread around hall for floor work area
Alternative: Carpet squares or defined floor spaces
Position with space around for safe movement
Alternative: Low balance beams or lines on floor
Create stations for over, under, through movements
Alternative: Boxes, tunnels, low tables
Place as targets or boundaries for movement
Alternative: Chalk circles or rope circles
Optional background music for movement flow
Alternative: Voice counting or clapping
A gymnast who moves silently, points their fingers and toes, and makes still, controlled shapes
Movements that use lots of space and stretched body parts
Movements that use little space with tucked or compact body parts
One partner creates movements while the other copies exactly
Different parts we can travel on: feet, hands, knees, bottom, tummy
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Spatial awareness, understanding over/under/through concepts, counting movements and timing
Forces and movement, balance and stability, how the body moves
Following instructions, using positional language, discussing movements with partner
Working with others, empathy through partnership, building confidence
Move constantly around apparatus areas, positioning for maximum visibility of all partnerships
Watch for partner cooperation, safe apparatus use, and champion movement qualities
Step in if partnerships not working well, apparatus use becomes unsafe, or students struggling with concepts
Always demonstrate partner work with another adult or confident student, emphasise safety first on apparatus
Minimum 10m x 15m clear space with apparatus storage area
Non-slip surface free from hazards, mats positioned for safe landings
Stop signal, assess injury, appropriate first aid, inform office if serious
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