Class 4 Physical Education
Explore physical fitness, aerobic capacity, strength, speed, agility, coordination, athletics, team sports and healthy exercise habits through 30 progressive Physical Education lessons focused on skill development, leadership, safety and personal fitness awareness.
💪 Fitness Development and Body Control
Exploring Components of Physical Fitness
Physical fitness includes several abilities that help us perform daily activities, exercise and sports. Important components include cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, speed, agility, coordination and balance.
Running → Endurance
Bodyweight movements → Strength
Changing direction → Agility
Controlled stretching → Flexibility
Choose four physical activities and identify the main fitness component used in each one.
Different activities develop different parts of physical fitness.
Measuring Personal Fitness Levels
Simple age-appropriate activities can help students observe their current fitness and track improvement over time. Fitness results should mainly be used to understand personal progress rather than to compare bodies or abilities.
Time spent in continuous movement • Number of controlled repetitions • Balance duration • Skill accuracy
With teacher supervision, complete a simple fitness activity and record your result. Repeat it later to observe progress.
Everyone develops differently. Personal improvement matters more than competing over fitness scores.
Developing Aerobic Capacity
Aerobic activity involves continuous movement that makes the heart and lungs work harder to supply the body during exercise.
Brisk walking • Easy running • Dancing • Active games • Cycling with suitable safety measures
Complete a teacher-led period of continuous moderate movement at a comfortable level.
Aerobic fitness develops gradually through regular suitable activity.
Building Strength with Bodyweight Exercises
Bodyweight exercises use the body’s own weight as resistance. Age-appropriate exercises can help children practise strength, control and movement technique.
Sit-to-stand • Wall push-ups • Controlled squats • Supported balance positions • Suitable core movements
Complete a short teacher-led circuit of simple bodyweight movements with appropriate rest.
Correct technique and control are more important than doing large numbers of repetitions.
Improving Speed Through Drills
Speed is the ability to move quickly. Short, controlled drills can help children practise acceleration, running technique and quick movement.
Ready → Accelerate over a short distance → Cross marker → Slow down safely → Recover
Perform several short teacher-supervised running drills with sufficient recovery between attempts.
Speed practice requires clear space and controlled stopping.
Developing Agility with Cone Activities
Agility combines speed with the ability to change direction while maintaining balance and control.
Forward → Sideways → Turn → Change direction → Finish
Arrange widely spaced cones and move through the pathway using teacher-selected direction changes.
Reduce speed when necessary before changing direction sharply.
Enhancing Coordination Through Skill Drills
Coordination allows different parts of the body to work together smoothly. Many sports require coordination between the eyes, hands, feet and whole body.
Throw and catch • Dribble through markers • Pass while moving • Step through simple movement patterns
Complete a short coordination circuit containing three different skills.
Learn the movement slowly before trying to perform it faster.
Practising Static and Dynamic Flexibility
Dynamic flexibility activities involve controlled movement through a comfortable range. Static stretching involves gently holding an appropriate position for a short period.
Dynamic → Controlled arm movements and leg movements.
Static → Gently holding an age-appropriate stretch.
Compare teacher-selected dynamic mobility movements with gentle static stretches at an appropriate point in the session.
Never force a stretch or continue a movement that causes pain.
🏃 Running, Jumping and Relay Skills
Learning Correct Running Form
Efficient running uses coordinated movement of the legs and arms while the body remains controlled and the eyes look ahead.
Look ahead • Keep shoulders relaxed • Move arms naturally • Use controlled steps • Maintain your running space
Run over a short distance while focusing on relaxed, coordinated movement rather than maximum speed.
Good running form should feel natural rather than stiff.
Understanding Sprint Starts
A sprint start helps a runner move from a stationary position into fast running. At this level, students can practise simple standing starts and responding to a start signal.
Prepare → Listen → Respond to signal → Accelerate gradually
Practise several short standing starts using teacher signals.
Do not start before the signal, and keep the running area clear.
Developing Long-Jump Technique
Long-jump activities combine an approach, take-off, flight and controlled landing. Class 4 learners can practise simplified age-appropriate versions.
Controlled approach → Prepare for take-off → Jump forward → Land safely
Practise a short approach followed by a controlled jump into a teacher-approved landing area.
Technique and safe landing are more important than maximum distance.
Introduction to High-Jump Skills
High-jump preparation can introduce controlled approach, take-off and landing concepts without requiring children to perform advanced competitive techniques.
Approach rhythm • Single-foot take-off practice • Controlled vertical jumping • Safe landing practice
Under qualified teacher supervision, practise simple jumping activities using age-appropriate equipment and a safe landing area.
Never attempt high jumping over hard, fixed or improvised obstacles. Use proper supervision and suitable landing equipment.
Learning Basic Relay Baton Exchange
Relay races involve teammates completing different sections of a race. A smooth baton exchange requires timing and communication.
Approach teammate → Communicate → Place baton securely → Receiver controls baton → Continue
Practise baton exchanges while walking first. Progress to gentle running when the exchange is controlled.
Learn a safe exchange before trying to perform it quickly.
⚽ Team and Racket Sport Skills
Improving Football Passing and Shooting
Football passing involves sending the ball accurately to a teammate, while shooting aims to direct the ball toward a goal or target.
Look before passing • Use controlled force • Pass into useful space • Aim before shooting
Pass a ball between partners and then practise controlled shots toward a wide target.
Accuracy and control are more useful than kicking as hard as possible.
Developing Basketball Passing and Shooting
Basketball requires players to move and share the ball using controlled passes, dribbling and shots toward the basket.
Chest-style pass • Bounce pass • Controlled dribbling • Age-appropriate shooting
Pass with a partner and then practise shooting toward an age-appropriate target.
Good team play includes passing as well as shooting.
Learning Volleyball Passing Techniques
Volleyball passing helps players control the ball and direct it toward teammates. Beginners should first develop positioning and controlled contact.
Ready position • Move toward the ball • Controlled forearm passing activities • Direct the ball toward a target
Use a lightweight ball to practise simple partner passing under teacher supervision.
Focus on control and positioning before power.
Practising Badminton Serves and Returns
A serve begins a badminton rally, while a return sends the shuttle back after an opponent’s shot.
Safe grip • Ready position • Gentle serve • Watch the shuttle • Controlled return
Practise gentle serves toward a large target area and simple returns with a partner.
Keep enough space between players when using rackets.
Introduction to Table Tennis Skills
Table tennis requires quick reactions, hand-eye coordination and controlled racket movements.
Safe racket grip • Ready position • Ball control • Gentle forehand and backhand activities
Practise gently bouncing the ball on the racket or making controlled partner returns.
Begin with control and accuracy before trying faster rallies.
🇮🇳 Indian Games and Team Strategy
Learning Basic Kho-Kho Techniques
Kho-Kho is a traditional Indian team sport involving running, chasing, direction changes and teamwork.
Understand the playing area • Practise quick direction changes • Learn safe chasing • Communicate with teammates
Practise simplified teacher-supervised Kho-Kho movement patterns before playing an age-appropriate game.
Follow the rules and use controlled movement to avoid collisions.
Developing Kabaddi Skills
Kabaddi is a traditional South Asian team sport involving movement, agility, strategy and controlled interaction between players. For young learners, skills should be taught using safe, age-appropriate activities.
Agility • Balance • Quick direction changes • Spatial awareness • Team communication
Practise teacher-designed non-contact Kabaddi-inspired movement games focusing on agility and safe tagging.
Do not use forceful tackling, pulling or dangerous contact. Follow the teacher’s modified rules.
Understanding Offensive and Defensive Play
In many team games, offensive play focuses on creating opportunities to score, while defensive play focuses on protecting space, intercepting safely and preventing scoring.
Attack → Pass into useful space and move toward goal.
Defence → Stay between the attacker and goal and protect space safely.
Play a small-sided game and practise changing between attacking and defending when possession changes.
Defending means using positioning and legal skills—not hurting or intimidating another player.
Applying Rules During Team Games
Knowing rules is only the first step. Players also need to apply them while moving, making decisions and interacting with teammates and opponents.
Respect boundaries • Follow restart rules • Avoid illegal contact • Accept official decisions • Play fairly
Play a short modified team game and identify which rules were used during play.
Rules help make competition organised, fair and safer.
Developing Leadership Through Sports
Sports can provide opportunities to practise leadership through communication, responsibility, encouragement and fair decision-making.
Encourage teammates • Listen to ideas • Include everyone • Stay calm • Model fair play
Take turns leading a short warm-up, team discussion or simple teacher-approved activity.
A good leader helps the group rather than trying to control everyone.
❤️ Fitness Science, Safety and First Aid
Understanding Fitness and Heart Health
The heart pumps blood throughout the body. During exercise, the heart usually beats faster to help deliver oxygen and nutrients to working tissues.
Compare how your heartbeat and breathing feel at rest, after moderate activity and after recovery.
With teacher guidance, observe how your body responds before and after safe physical activity.
Regular age-appropriate activity supports general fitness. Tell an adult if you feel pain, faintness or unusual difficulty during exercise.
Learning About Exercise and Muscles
Muscles help move our body by producing force. Different activities use different muscle groups, and regular age-appropriate movement helps children develop physical ability.
Leg muscles help with running and jumping.
Arm and shoulder muscles help with throwing.
Core muscles help support many movements and body positions.
After several different movements, discuss which parts of the body seemed to be working.
Children do not need extreme exercise or heavy lifting to learn about muscular fitness.
Preventing Sports Injuries
Sports injuries cannot always be prevented, but good habits can reduce unnecessary risk during physical activity.
Use suitable equipment • Follow rules • Warm up appropriately • Keep playing areas clear • Learn correct technique • Avoid dangerous contact
Before an activity, inspect the area with your teacher and identify anything that could create an avoidable hazard.
Report damaged equipment, unsafe surfaces and injuries to a responsible adult.
Understanding Basic First Aid in Sports
First aid is immediate help provided when someone becomes injured or unwell before appropriate further care is available. Children should focus on recognising a problem and getting responsible adult help.
Stop the activity.
Do not crowd around them.
Inform the teacher or responsible adult immediately.
Follow adult instructions.
A classmate falls during a game and says their ankle hurts. What should you do? Stop play nearby and get the teacher or responsible adult.
Do not attempt medical procedures you have not been trained and authorised to perform. Serious injuries or emergencies require immediate adult and appropriate professional help.
💧 Hydration, Exercise Planning and Activity Tracking
Maintaining Hydration During Activity
The body needs water throughout the day, and active movement can increase fluid needs, especially in warm conditions.
Begin activities appropriately hydrated • Use scheduled water breaks • Keep a clean personal water bottle when permitted • Drink according to activity conditions and adult guidance
Create a simple reminder routine for bringing and using your water bottle during appropriate school activities.
Tell a responsible adult if you feel dizzy, unusually weak, unwell or excessively overheated during activity.
Planning a Balanced Exercise Session
A balanced activity session can combine preparation, aerobic movement, skill practice, age-appropriate strength or movement activities and gradual recovery.
Warm-up → Active movement → Skill practice → Game or fitness activity → Cool-down
With teacher guidance, choose one safe activity for each stage and arrange them in a sensible order.
Exercise should match the learner’s age, ability, environment and any individual guidance.
Tracking Personal Physical Activity
Keeping a simple activity record can help students notice how often they move and which types of physical activities they enjoy.
Monday — Outdoor game
Tuesday — PE lesson
Wednesday — Walking and active play
Thursday — Ball practice
Friday — Dance or movement activity
Keep a simple seven-day activity diary. Record the activity, how you felt and one skill you practised.
Use activity tracking to understand your own habits and progress, not to compare your body or performance unfairly with others.