Class 1 Physical Education
Build basic movement, balance, coordination, ball skills, teamwork and healthy activity habits through 30 simple and enjoyable Physical Education lessons designed for Class 1 learners.
🏃 Basic Body Movements
Moving Our Body Safely
Physical activity helps us learn how our body moves. Safe movement means looking around, keeping enough space and controlling our body while walking, running or playing.
Look where you are going, avoid pushing, keep space between players and stop when the teacher gives the signal.
Walk slowly around a clear activity area. Change direction when your teacher gives a signal without touching another person.
Safe movement protects you and the people around you.
Walking with Good Posture
Good walking posture means keeping the body comfortably upright, looking ahead and allowing the arms to move naturally.
Head up • Eyes forward • Shoulders relaxed • Arms moving naturally
Walk from one marker to another while looking ahead and keeping your body comfortably upright.
Walk naturally. Good posture should feel comfortable, not stiff.
Running for Fun
Running is a basic movement skill. It can help develop coordination, fitness and confidence in movement.
Look forward, move your arms naturally, use a clear space and slow down before stopping.
Run gently between two markers and walk back to the starting point. Repeat at a comfortable pace.
Running is for movement and enjoyment—not every run needs to be a race.
Jumping with Both Feet
Jumping uses the legs to push the body away from the ground. Beginners can practise taking off and landing with both feet.
Bend the knees slightly → Push from both feet → Land softly on both feet with the knees comfortably bent.
Place safe floor markers a short distance apart and jump from one marker to the next.
Use a clear, suitable surface and practise soft, controlled landings.
Hopping on One Foot
Hopping means taking off and landing on the same foot. It helps children practise balance and coordination.
Lift one foot slightly and make a small controlled hop on the other foot.
Try a few small hops on one foot, rest, and then practise with the other foot.
Start with small hops and use a safe, clear surface.
Skipping Basic Steps
Skipping combines a step and a light hop. It develops rhythm, balance and coordination.
Step → Hop → Step → Hop
Practise the step-and-hop pattern slowly. When comfortable, move forward using the same rhythm.
Learning the rhythm is more important than moving quickly.
🤸 Flexibility, Balance and Body Control
Stretching Our Arms and Legs
Gentle stretching moves parts of the body through a comfortable range and can be included in warm-up or cool-down activities.
Reach both arms upward.
Stretch the arms gently to each side.
Make slow ankle movements.
Perform gentle leg movements instructed by the teacher.
Follow your teacher through several slow and gentle stretches.
Stretch gently. Do not bounce or force a movement that hurts.
Bending and Turning Movements
Our body can bend and turn in different ways. Controlled movements help children become more aware of how their body moves.
Gentle side bend • Small knee bend • Slow body turn
Follow simple teacher-led instructions such as “bend gently,” “stand tall” and “turn slowly.”
Move slowly and stay within a comfortable range.
Balancing on One Foot
Balance helps us control our body while staying still or moving. Standing on one foot is a simple balance activity.
Look at one steady point in front of you and hold your arms where they help you balance.
Stand near a safe support if needed. Lift one foot slightly, balance briefly, lower it and change sides.
Balance improves with practice. It is okay to put your foot down and try again.
Walking Along a Straight Line
Walking along a marked straight line helps develop balance, concentration and body control.
Follow a safe line marked on the floor while looking ahead and taking controlled steps.
Walk from one end of the line to the other. Try it slowly first.
Focus on control rather than speed.
⚽ Basic Ball Skills
Throwing a Soft Ball
Throwing develops hand-eye coordination and helps children learn to control the direction and strength of a movement.
Use a lightweight soft ball and gently throw it toward a large, safe target.
Stand a short distance from a target and make several gentle throws.
Throw only when the area ahead is clear and follow the teacher’s safety instructions.
Catching with Both Hands
Catching involves watching an approaching object and using the hands to receive it safely.
Watch the soft ball, prepare both hands and receive it gently instead of striking at it.
A partner or teacher gently tosses a soft ball from a short distance. Catch it using both hands.
Begin with slow, gentle throws and a soft ball.
Rolling a Ball to a Partner
Rolling a ball helps children practise direction, control and cooperation with a partner.
Face your partner and roll the ball gently along the ground toward them.
Partners stand or sit an appropriate distance apart and roll a soft ball back and forth.
Use enough force for the ball to reach your partner without rolling too fast.
Kicking a Stationary Ball
Kicking a ball that is not moving is a simple way to begin developing foot-eye coordination.
Place a suitable soft ball on the ground, look at it and make a gentle controlled kick toward a clear target area.
Kick the stationary ball toward a wide target from a short distance.
Check that nobody is standing directly in front of the ball before kicking.
🎵 Rhythm, Games and Fun Movement
Simple Clapping Games
Clapping games combine rhythm, listening and coordinated hand movements.
Clap → Clap → Pause → Clap
Copy simple clapping patterns made by your teacher and then create a short pattern of your own.
Listen carefully to the rhythm before copying it.
Follow-the-Leader Activities
Follow-the-leader activities help children observe, listen and copy safe movements.
Walk • Reach • Clap • Turn slowly • March • Balance
Follow the teacher or designated leader around a clear area, copying each safe movement.
Keep enough space between yourself and the person ahead.
Animal Movement Activities
Animal-inspired movements make physical activity imaginative while practising different ways of moving.
Waddle like a duck.
Stretch tall like a giraffe.
Move slowly like a turtle.
Make small controlled bunny-style jumps.
Move safely around a clear area while copying teacher-selected animal movements suitable for the class.
Choose safe movements and avoid rough imitation that could cause falls or collisions.
Rhythm and Movement
Rhythm is a repeated pattern of beats. Moving to rhythm can help develop timing and coordination.
March slowly to a steady beat and stop when the beat stops.
Clap, march or step to different teacher-led rhythms.
Listen to the beat and move in a controlled way.
Playing Simple Circle Games
Circle games can develop listening, cooperation and awareness of other players.
Children stand or sit in a circle and safely pass a soft ball from one person to the next.
Play a teacher-led circle activity that includes passing, clapping or simple movement.
Include everyone and follow the agreed rules.
Fun Relay Activities
Simple relays involve completing a short movement task and then giving the next teammate a turn.
Walk quickly to a marker, go around it safely, return and signal the next player to begin.
Create small teams and complete a simple walking or controlled movement relay.
A relay should focus on safe participation, teamwork and fun—not only winning.
🤝 Safety, Fair Play and Teamwork
Understanding Personal Space
Personal space is the area around our body. Keeping enough space during movement can help prevent bumps and collisions.
Before stretching your arms, check that you will not touch another person.
Stand in your activity area and slowly stretch your arms out. Make sure there is enough room around you.
Respect both your own space and other people’s space.
Following Playground Rules
Playground rules help children use shared play spaces more safely and fairly.
Wait for your turn.
Do not push.
Use equipment as instructed.
Stay within allowed areas.
Listen to supervising adults.
Choose one playground rule and explain what problem it helps prevent.
Different playgrounds may have different rules. Follow the rules for the place you are using.
Playing Fairly with Friends
Fair play means following agreed rules, avoiding cheating and treating other players respectfully.
If the ball goes outside the agreed boundary, accept the rule instead of changing it because you want to win.
During your next game, congratulate another player for a good effort.
Playing fairly makes games more enjoyable for everyone.
Taking Turns During Games
Taking turns gives each player a reasonable chance to participate. It also helps games stay organised.
Wait until the player ahead finishes before starting your turn.
Play a simple throwing game where each child gets one turn before anyone takes another.
Waiting patiently is part of good teamwork.
Wearing Safe Sports Clothing
Suitable clothing and footwear can help children move comfortably and reduce avoidable problems during physical activity.
Wear suitable footwear when required.
Avoid loose items that could catch on equipment.
Follow school instructions about jewellery and sports clothing.
Before a PE activity, check that your clothing and footwear are appropriate for the activity and school rules.
Ask your teacher if you are unsure whether something is safe to wear.
💧 Healthy Activity and Recovery Habits
Drinking Water During Exercise
Our body needs water throughout the day. Physical activity can increase the need to replace fluids.
Bring water when appropriate and use water breaks provided during physical activities.
Remember your water bottle for PE when your school allows one.
Follow teacher or caregiver guidance about water breaks and tell an adult if you feel unwell during activity.
Keeping Our Body Active
Physical activity can include many forms of movement, such as walking, running, dancing, active games and suitable sports.
Play an outdoor game.
Dance to music.
Walk with family.
Practise safe movement skills.
Join suitable school activities.
List three physical activities that you enjoy.
Being active can be enjoyable and does not have to mean competing.
Resting After Physical Activity
After active movement, the body can benefit from gradually slowing down and having time to recover.
Slow your movement gradually, walk calmly and follow the teacher’s cool-down and rest instructions.
After a class game, walk slowly for a short time and notice how your breathing gradually changes.
Tell an adult if you feel pain, faint, unusually short of breath or otherwise unwell during or after activity.
Understanding Good Body Posture
Posture describes how we hold our body while standing, sitting or moving. Comfortable alignment can support efficient movement.
Sit comfortably with appropriate support.
Stand naturally upright.
Avoid staying in one uncomfortable position for too long.
Compare how your body feels when you sit comfortably and when you deliberately slump for a moment.
Good posture should be comfortable and natural rather than rigid.
Enjoying Daily Physical Activity
Regular physical activity gives children opportunities to move, play, practise skills and enjoy being active.
Walking • Running • Dancing • Ball games • Playground games • Skipping • Family activities
Choose several safe physical activities you enjoy and look for opportunities to include movement in your daily routine.
The goal is to build a positive relationship with movement, play and healthy activity.