Jumping and Hopping Fun

Lesson Overview

Age Group: Reception (Ages 4-5)
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Unit: Movement Mastery Adventure (Lesson 3 of 4)
Focus: Jumping and hopping techniques, balance, coordination

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Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Physical Development early learning goals:

• Moving and handling: Children show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements. They move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space.
• Health and self-care: Children know the importance of physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

The lesson also supports progress towards the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021) and complements the Physical Education Programmes of Study for Key Stage 1, with foundational skills for future complex movements.

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Learning Intentions

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

• Demonstrate basic jumping and hopping techniques with improved balance and coordination.
• Participate confidently in simple games requiring jumping skills, such as hopscotch and obstacle jumps.
• Understand spatial awareness and safety while moving energetically with peers.

Success Criteria

• Children can jump forward with both feet together and hop on one foot.
• Children balance briefly when landing from a jump or landing after a hop.
• Children engage enthusiastically in the games, following simple instructions and taking turns.

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Resources

• Colourful floor tape or chalk to create hopscotch patterns
• Small soft obstacles (e.g., foam blocks/cushions) about 15-20 cm high
• Cones or spots to mark activity areas
• Music player with upbeat songs for warm-up and cool-down
• Visual prompts and simple picture cards for instructions

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome and Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Objectives: Engage, energise, and tune children’s bodies for activity.

• Circle time chat: “Today we’re going on a jumping and hopping adventure! Who likes to jump and hop?”
• Warm-up game: “Animal Movements” – children move like different animals (e.g., kangaroos hop, frogs jump, rabbits leap). Encourage exaggerated movements to activate muscles and balance.
• Stretching: Reach for the sky, bend and touch toes to warm muscles gently.

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2. Introduction to Skills (5 minutes)

Objectives: Teach correct jumping and hopping techniques with focus on balance and landing.

• Demonstrate a two-footed jump forward: toes bend, arms swing to help, land softly with knees slightly bent.
• Show hopping on one foot: keep free leg bent behind, balance on standing foot.
• Invite volunteers to show the moves, providing gentle praise and correction.

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3. Activity 1 - Hopscotch Challenge (8 minutes)

Objectives: Practise jumping and hopping sequences in a fun, game-based setting.

• Set up a simple hopscotch grid using tape or chalk.
• Demonstrate rules: one foot in single squares, two feet in double squares, jumping and hopping from square to square.
• Children take turns and encourage them to say “hop” or “jump” aloud as they move.
• For differentiation: support some children to hop with teacher assistance; challenge confident children to invent their own sequence and balance on one foot at certain points.

Teaching Tips: Reinforce soft landings, bending knees, and arms for balance during play.

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4. Activity 2 - Jumping Over Obstacles (8 minutes)

Objectives: Enhance coordination and balance when jumping over low obstacles.

• Arrange foam blocks or cushions spaced evenly for children to jump over safely.
• Encourage children to look forward, use arms to propel themselves, and land with bent knees for a soft landing.
• Introduce hopping over obstacles for the more confident movers.
• Let children try small “jump circuits” in pairs or small groups, cheering each other on.

Safety: Teacher ensures clear space and spot supervision to prevent collisions.

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5. Cool Down and Reflection (4 minutes)

Objectives: Calm bodies and consolidate learning with reflection.

• Gentle walking around the space, slowing heartbeats.
• Simple stretches: “Touch your toes, reach up high.”
• Circle time reflection: “What was your favourite jump or hop today? How did your body feel when you landed?”
• Celebrate successes with stickers or a ‘Jump and Hop Star’ stamp on their workbooks.

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Differentiation & Inclusion

• Provide physical support or adapted obstacle height for children with limited mobility or confidence.
• Use peer-buddy system for encouragement.
• Use visual and verbal cues for children with additional language or learning needs.
• Allow alternative movement options (e.g., stepping instead of jumping if needed).

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe individual children for balance on landing and hopping stability.
• Use informal checklists to note children confidently performing two-footed jump and single-foot hop.
• Ask children questions during activities to assess understanding.

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Extension Ideas for Home or Future Lessons

• Suggest parents encourage jumping and hopping play at home (e.g., skipping games, jumping over cracks on pavement).
• Prepare obstacle courses with household items to practise balance and coordination.
• Plan next lesson with introduction to running and stopping drills for continued movement mastery.

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Teacher’s Reflection Prompts

• Which children demonstrated increased confidence in jumping and hopping?
• Were the games engaging and inclusive for all abilities?
• Did children understand the importance of safe landings and balance?
• What adaptations or extensions could be applied next time?

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This lesson plan supports active learning, creativity, and embodied development, ensuring Reception children experience physical literacy in a playful, supportive environment aligned with UK EYFS standards.