Building Confidence Through Play

Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education (HPE)

Strand: Movement Concepts and Motor Skills

Level: Te Whāriki – NZ Early Childhood Curriculum

Lesson Duration: 30 minutes

Class Size: 12 Preschool Students

Lesson Focus:

This lesson is designed to encourage shy and reserved preschoolers to gain confidence in movement-based activities through fun, low-pressure physical experiences. The goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where children feel comfortable exploring movement, engaging with peers, and expressing themselves through play.

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Lesson Objectives:

1. Develop confidence in physical movement through gentle, engaging play.
2. Encourage interaction and social bonding through paired and group activities.
3. Improve coordination and gross motor skills in a supportive environment.
4. Nurture a sense of accomplishment and belonging in the class community.

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Equipment Needed:

• Soft foam balls
• Colourful scarves
• Small cones
• Hula hoops
• A soft mat

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Lesson Structure:

1. Mihi & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

• Teacher to greet children with a welcoming "Mōrena tamariki mā!"
• Stand in a circle and gently pass a small soft ball around while saying their own name. This builds familiarity and comfort.
• Do simple animal walks (bear crawl, bunny hop, butterfly flaps) to engage children's imagination and warm up their bodies.

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2. Confidence-Building Movement Games (20 minutes)

🟢 Activity 1: Magic Scarves (5 minutes)

• Each child gets a lightweight, colourful scarf.
• Encourage free movement – children can wave the scarf like a superhero cape, float it like a kite, or twirl it like a ballerina’s ribbon.
• Gentle guidance: “Can we make our scarves dance slowly? How about fast?”
• Pair-up moment: Two children wave their scarves together, encouraging interaction in a low-pressure way.

🔵 Activity 2: Friendly Obstacle Trail (7 minutes)

• Set up a mini "adventure course" using small cones, hula hoops, and soft mats.
• Children take turns crawling under tunnels (hula hoops), stepping over small obstacles, and hopping onto marked spots.
• Encouragement focus: Clapping and verbal praise when they complete sections. Teachers can guide shy students first alongside a peer or themselves.

🟡 Activity 3: Rolling & Catching Buddies (8 minutes)

• Pair children up with a partner they feel comfortable with.
• Sit on the floor facing each other and gently roll a soft foam ball back and forth.
• As confidence grows, encourage gentle tossing and catching.
• Celebration idea: If a child catches the ball, they can do a "happy dance."

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3. Cool Down & Reflection (5 minutes)

• Gather in a soft circle on mats.
• Sing a gentle waiata (such as "Tōku reo tōku ohooho") to create a calming, familiar ending.
• Ask a simple reflection question: "What was your favourite part today?"
• End with high-fives or tapping hands in a "butterfly clap" to reinforce a feeling of inclusion.

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Adaptive Strategies for Shy Students:

✅ Use positive reinforcement ("Ka pai! That was awesome!") frequently.
✅ Allow children to choose comfort levels—if they prefer to observe first, that is okay.
✅ Soft introductions to new partners or activities to reduce pressure.
✅ Maintain a calm and friendly voice to create a trusting space.

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Assessment & Observations:

• Did children engage in activities?
• Did shy children respond positively to encouragement?
• Did students feel comfortable participating in pairs or small groups?
• Were there improvements in movement confidence?

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Teacher Reflection:

This lesson provides a nurturing, movement-rich experience for reserved preschoolers to develop confidence and social connection in a gentle way. By creating a safe space for movement, we build their willingness to participate and engage in group activities over time.

👏 Ka rawe! Well done, tamariki mā!