Crawling and Climbing Challenges

Overview

This 30-minute PE session is lesson 2 of 4 in the "Movement Mastery Adventure" unit, designed for Reception children (ages 4-5). Building on previously learned rolling skills, the lesson introduces crawling and climbing through a creatively constructed obstacle course. The activities focus on developing gross motor skills, spatial awareness, coordination, and early teamwork. The lesson aligns with the Physical Development early learning goals in the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, particularly around moving confidently, safely negotiating space, and managing basic gross motor skills.

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Curriculum Links

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Physical Development: Moving and Handling

• Children show good control and coordination in large and small movements.
• They move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space.
• They handle equipment and tools effectively.

Physical Education Programmes of Study (Key Stage 1, adapted for Reception)

• Develop fundamental movement skills.
• Participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Confidently crawl and climb over low, safe obstacles.
• Demonstrate improved spatial awareness when navigating through the obstacles.
• Show teamwork and cooperation during paired/group activities.
• Communicate simple instructions and support peers during challenges.

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Resources

• Low soft climbing frames or tunnels
• Gym mats
• Small balance beams or planks (set low to the ground)
• Cones to mark pathways
• Soft play blocks or foam shapes for crawling under/over
• Timer or stopwatch (for fun, non-competitive element)
• Visual cue cards with simple instructions or animal crawl ideas (e.g., “bear crawl,” “crab walk”)

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Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Teacher Notes
0-5m	Warm-Up and Story Introduction	Gather children in a circle. Warm up with whole-body stretches mimicking animals (e.g., stretch like a cat, jump like a frog). Introduce the theme: “Today we’re adventurers crawling and climbing through the jungle!”	Use vivid storytelling to engage children’s imaginations and create context. Ask simple questions to activate prior knowledge (e.g., “How do animals move when they crawl?”).
5-10m	Demonstration and Safety Brief	Teacher demonstrates crawling and climbing on equipment, emphasising safe movements. Highlight how to move slowly and carefully. Explain the obstacle course layout. Stress safe behaviour (no pushing/pulling).	Use positive, clear instructions and model good examples. Repeat safety rules using child-friendly language.
10-25m	Obstacle Course Exploration	Children move in small groups (5 groups of 5 children). Each child takes turns crawling under blocks, climbing over soft frames, balancing on low beams, and moving around cones. Incorporate animal crawl styles with visual cues for variety.	Encourage children to cheer and support peers. Teacher circulates, providing encouragement and individual assistance. Rotate groups to ensure all try each challenge.
25-28m	Cooperative Challenge	In pairs, children help each other through a paired challenge – e.g., one child crawls while the other lifts soft blocks gently to clear the path or guides with verbal praise. Swap roles.	Foster language skills by encouraging phrases like “You can do it!” and “Watch out for my head!” Highlight cooperation and turn-taking.
28-30m	Cool Down and Reflection	Group circle to cool down with gentle stretching. Discuss what was fun and what children found tricky. Use “thumbs up/thumbs down” for simple self-assessment. Praise specific skills shown (e.g., “You were very brave on that climb!”).	Reinforce positive social behaviours and self-awareness. Encourage children to share their favourite part.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Support: Provide one-to-one adult support for children with physical or confidence difficulties. Use tactile prompts to guide movements for children needing sensory input.
• Extension: Challenge more confident movers to complete the obstacle course as quietly as possible or with eyes half-closed to sharpen spatial awareness.
• Communication: Use visual cues and simple sign language for children with communication needs. Pre-teach key vocabulary.

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Assessment and Observation Focus

• Observe children’s ability to coordinate crawling and climbing movements safely.
• Note levels of spatial awareness (avoiding obstacles and maintaining body control).
• Identify examples of positive teamwork and peer supporting behaviours.
• Record emerging use of directional language (e.g., “under,” “over,” “through”).

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Teacher Reflection Prompts

• Which children showed the most confidence in new movements?
• Were the groupings effective for cooperation and safety?
• How did children respond to the imaginative context?
• What adjustments can be made to increase challenge or support in the next lesson on jumping and landing?

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Additional Ideas to ‘Wow’

• Set up a 'Movement Passport' for each child to stamp after completing each obstacle, building a sense of achievement and motivation across the 4-lesson unit.
• Integrate a simple musical soundtrack with jungle sounds to enrich the immersive experience.
• Use GoPro or tablet footage to show children their movements for self-reflection in the next lesson.

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This detailed, imaginative lesson plan empowers Reception teachers to lead an engaging PE session that supports physical development and social skills within EYFS guidelines, delivering a memorable "Movement Mastery Adventure".