Class 3 Physical Education
Develop physical fitness, endurance, strength, flexibility, agility, balance, athletics and basic sports skills through 30 progressive Physical Education lessons focused on safe movement, teamwork, healthy habits and enjoyable daily activity.
💪 Physical Fitness and Body Development
Understanding Physical Fitness
Physical fitness describes our ability to take part in everyday activities and physical movement. Fitness includes different abilities such as endurance, strength, flexibility, balance and agility.
Running can develop endurance, simple body movements can build strength, and stretching activities can support flexibility.
List three physical activities you enjoy and identify which fitness skills they may help you practise.
Fitness develops gradually through regular, suitable physical activity.
Developing Cardiovascular Endurance
Cardiovascular endurance helps the heart, lungs and circulatory system support the body during continuous physical activity.
Brisk walking • Easy running • Active games • Dancing • Skipping
Take part in a teacher-led period of continuous moderate movement, using walking or easy running as appropriate.
Build endurance gradually rather than trying to exercise as hard as possible immediately.
Building Basic Muscular Strength
Muscular strength helps our muscles produce force for everyday movements such as lifting suitable objects, climbing, jumping and maintaining body positions.
Sit-to-stand movements • Wall push movements • Controlled bodyweight exercises • Supervised climbing activities
Complete a short teacher-led circuit using simple bodyweight movements appropriate for your age and ability.
Correct, controlled movement is more important than lifting heavy weights or competing over strength.
Improving Joint Flexibility
Flexibility describes the comfortable range of movement available around joints. Different people naturally have different levels of flexibility.
Shoulder movements • Arm reaches • Ankle movements • Gentle leg stretches • Side reaches
Follow teacher-led flexibility movements for different parts of the body.
Never force a joint beyond a comfortable range or stretch through pain.
Developing Agility Through Movement
Agility is the ability to change direction and body position quickly while remaining controlled.
Moving around widely spaced cones in different directions requires agility.
Complete a simple teacher-designed pathway using safe changes of direction.
Control your speed before making sharp changes of direction.
Improving Dynamic Balance
Dynamic balance means maintaining control of the body while moving. It is useful in running, jumping, games and many sports.
Walking along a curved line • Stepping around markers • Landing after a small jump • Changing direction under control
Follow a marked pathway that includes walking, turning and controlled stepping movements.
Balance improves when movements are controlled rather than rushed.
🏃 Running, Jumping and Athletics
Combining Running and Jumping Skills
Many physical activities require children to combine movement skills. Running followed by a controlled jump is one example.
Controlled run → Prepare → Jump → Land safely
Jog toward a safe floor marker, perform a small controlled jump and land in a designated area.
Use a safe surface and focus on a balanced landing.
Learning Basic Sprinting Technique
Sprinting means running quickly over a short distance. Basic technique includes controlled body position, coordinated arm movement and safe acceleration and stopping.
Look ahead • Move arms naturally • Run in your lane or space • Continue beyond the finish marker before slowing safely
Practise several short teacher-supervised runs with plenty of recovery between attempts.
Technique and safety are more important than being the fastest.
Practising Short-Distance Races
Short-distance races provide an opportunity to practise starting, running in a defined area and finishing under control.
Prepare → Listen for signal → Run → Cross finish → Slow down safely
Participate in an age-appropriate short race organised by your teacher.
Stay in the designated running space and avoid pushing or blocking others.
Introduction to Standing Broad Jump
The standing broad jump is a forward jump that begins from a stationary position and uses both legs for take-off.
Stand balanced → Bend knees comfortably → Swing arms → Push forward from both feet → Land on both feet
Practise jumping from a marked line onto a suitable landing area under teacher supervision.
A safe, balanced landing is more important than maximum distance.
⚽ Ball and Sports Skills
Learning Overarm Throwing Technique
An overarm throw sends an object forward using coordinated movement of the arm and body.
Face the target → Prepare the throwing arm → Step appropriately → Throw forward → Follow through naturally
Use a soft ball to practise controlled overarm throws toward a large target.
Never throw until the target area is clear.
Developing Accurate Ball Passing
Accurate passing means sending a ball toward a teammate with appropriate direction, timing and force.
Look for your teammate → Make sure they are ready → Pass accurately → Use suitable force
Stand with a partner and practise passing a suitable ball toward a marked receiving area.
A useful pass should be easy for your teammate to receive.
Practising Controlled Ball Dribbling
Dribbling means moving while keeping control of a ball using the hands or feet, depending on the activity.
Use gentle touches • Keep the ball nearby • Look ahead when possible • Slow down before changing direction
Dribble a suitable ball along a simple pathway between widely spaced markers.
Control comes before speed.
Learning Basic Football Skills
Beginner football activities can develop foot-eye coordination, passing, ball control and teamwork.
Controlled dribbling • Stopping the ball • Short passing • Shooting gently toward a target
Practise moving a suitable ball between markers and making short passes to a partner.
Keep your head up when possible and avoid dangerous or rough challenges.
Learning Basic Basketball Skills
Beginner basketball activities include controlled hand dribbling, passing and shooting toward an age-appropriate target.
Bounce the ball • Control it • Pass to a teammate • Aim toward a target
Practise stationary dribbling followed by a simple partner pass.
Use equipment and targets appropriate for the age and ability of the learners.
Introduction to Volleyball Movements
Introductory volleyball activities can help children practise ready positions, movement, tracking a ball and simple controlled contacts.
Move into position • Toss and catch • Keep a lightweight ball in the air using teacher-approved techniques
With a partner, gently toss a lightweight ball over a low line and catch it before returning it.
Begin with simple, controlled activities before attempting formal game skills.
Introduction to Badminton Skills
Badminton involves coordination between the eyes, hands, racket and shuttle. Beginners can first learn safe racket handling and simple striking activities.
Safe racket grip • Ready position • Tracking the shuttle • Gentle controlled striking
Practise balancing or gently tapping a shuttle with a racket under teacher supervision.
Keep a safe distance from other players when swinging a racket.
Learning Basic Athletics Events
Athletics includes running, jumping and throwing activities. At Class 3 level, children can explore simplified versions of these events.
Short running events • Standing jumps • Safe target throws • Relays
Rotate through several teacher-supervised athletics stations with age-appropriate equipment.
Different athletics events require different skills. Practise technique before focusing on results.
🤝 Team Games, Cooperation and Fair Play
Participating in Team-Building Games
Team-building games require players to communicate, cooperate and solve movement challenges together.
A group must move several objects from one marked area to another while ensuring every teammate participates.
Complete a teacher-designed cooperative challenge in a small group.
Successful teamwork includes listening and giving everyone a reasonable opportunity to contribute.
Exploring Indigenous Indian Games
India has a rich variety of traditional and indigenous games. Age-appropriate versions can introduce children to movement, strategy, cooperation and cultural sporting traditions.
Kho-Kho activities • Kabaddi-inspired non-contact activities • Lagori-style target games • Regional running and circle games
Learn the basic rules of one teacher-selected traditional Indian game and play a simplified, safe version.
Traditional games vary by region. Use age-appropriate rules, safe equipment and supervised versions.
Understanding Rules and Fair Competition
Rules help games remain organised, understandable and fair. Fair competition means following the agreed rules without cheating.
Follow boundaries • Wait for the correct signal • Accept decisions • Avoid cheating • Respect opponents
Choose one game and explain why two of its rules are important.
Competition should test skills without sacrificing safety or respect.
Developing Teamwork Through Sports
Team sports provide opportunities to practise communication, cooperation, sharing responsibilities and supporting others.
Pass to teammates • Communicate respectfully • Encourage effort • Help defend or attack as a group • Share opportunities
During a team activity, make sure you involve more than one teammate.
A team works together rather than depending only on its strongest player.
Understanding Winning and Losing Gracefully
Games sometimes have winners and losers. Sportsmanship means responding respectfully to either result.
Congratulate others • Avoid boasting • Avoid blaming teammates • Think about what you learned
“Well played. I enjoyed the game.”
One result does not define your ability or worth. Improvement comes through continued practice.
❤️ Exercise Safety and Body Awareness
Monitoring Breathing During Exercise
Breathing usually becomes faster during active exercise because the body is working harder. It normally slows again as activity reduces and the body recovers.
Notice your breathing while resting, after moderate activity and again after a short recovery period.
With teacher guidance, compare your breathing before and after a short period of safe movement.
Stop and tell an adult if you experience pain, faintness, severe or unusual breathing difficulty, or feel unwell.
Understanding the Importance of Warm-Ups
A warm-up gradually prepares the body and mind for more active movement by increasing activity step by step and practising movements related to the activity ahead.
Walk → Easy jog → Controlled mobility movements → Simple activity-specific movements
Follow a teacher-led warm-up before a running or team game session.
A warm-up should be gradual and suitable for the activity.
Learning Safe Stretching Techniques
Stretching should involve slow, controlled movements within a comfortable range.
Move gently • Maintain comfortable control • Breathe normally • Avoid forcing the position
Practise several age-appropriate teacher-led stretches using slow and controlled movements.
Stretching should not be painful. Do not bounce aggressively or force your body into extreme positions.
🥗 Healthy Habits and Active Living
Choosing Healthy Food for Active Children
Children need a varied, balanced diet to support normal growth, learning and physical activity. Different foods provide different nutrients and energy.
Fruits and vegetables • Grains and cereals • Pulses, beans or other protein foods • Milk or suitable alternatives • Water
Draw a balanced meal using a variety of suitable foods available in your home or community.
Food needs can differ between children. Follow guidance from parents, caregivers or qualified health professionals for individual needs.
Understanding Rest and Recovery
Rest and recovery give the body time between activities and are important parts of a balanced active routine.
Gradually cool down • Drink water as appropriate • Rest between demanding activities • Maintain healthy sleep routines
Why might your performance become worse if you repeatedly exercise hard without enough rest?
Fitness includes activity and appropriate recovery.
Practising Safe Outdoor Activities
Outdoor physical activity can be enjoyable, but children should check their surroundings and follow appropriate safety rules.
Use suitable clothing and footwear.
Stay in approved areas.
Use protective equipment when an activity requires it.
Follow weather and adult safety guidance.
Drink water as appropriate.
Before an outdoor activity, identify the playing boundaries, equipment rules and any possible hazards with your teacher.
Children should follow responsible adult guidance for outdoor activities and tell an adult about unsafe conditions.
Creating a Daily Fitness Routine
A simple fitness routine can include different types of enjoyable movement rather than repeating only one activity.
Warm-up → Active movement → Skill practice or game → Gradual cool-down
Choose several age-appropriate activities you enjoy and arrange them into a simple routine with help from your teacher or caregiver.
A good routine should be safe, varied, enjoyable and appropriate for your age and abilities.