Jumping for Joy

Overview

Age Group: Reception (4-5 years old)
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Unit: Gymnastics Fun Foundations — Lesson 3 of 5
Lesson Title: Jumping for Joy: Basic Jumps and Landings
Subject: Physical Education

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National Curriculum Links

• Physical Development (Early Years Foundation Stage - EYFS):

  • "Children show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements"
  • "They move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space"
  • "They know the importance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle"

• PE Statutory Framework (Key Stage 1 readiness):

  • Master basic movements including balance, agility, and coordination.
  • Participate in team games, developing simple tactics for attacking and defending.

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Learning Objectives

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

• Perform two primary jumping techniques: tuck jumps and star jumps.
• Demonstrate safe and controlled landings, bending knees and absorbing force.
• Understand spatial awareness by taking turns and moving safely in a shared space.
• Express joy and creativity through body movement in a kinaesthetic and engaging way.

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Resources

• Soft gymnastics mats (enough for 4-5 stations)
• Cones or floor markers (to mark jumping zones)
• Colourful scarves or ribbons (to increase engagement during star jumps)
• Visual cue cards with photos/drawings of tuck jump, star jump, and safe landing posture
• Music player (for rhythmic jumping warm-up)
• Timer or stopwatch

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome & Warm-up (5 minutes)

Objective: Prepare bodies for movement and focus attention.

• Gather children in a circle and introduce the lesson title and theme: “Jumping for Joy”
• Start with a fun movement song (e.g., ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’ but adapted with jumping actions), encouraging children to jump on beat.
• Warm-up dynamic stretches:
  • Reach for the sky and touch your toes (3x)
  • March on the spot lifting knees high (10 seconds)
  • Gentle jogging around the space (10 seconds)

2. Introduction to Jumping Techniques (5 minutes)

Objective: Understand and demonstrate basic jumps.

• Show visual cue cards for tuck jump and star jump.
• Model the tuck jump: jump upwards, tuck knees to chest mid-air, land softly with knees bent. Use clear, exaggerated motions.
• Model the star jump: jump and spread arms and legs wide to form a star shape, then land softly.
• Emphasise safety: “Bend your knees when you land like a spring!”
• Ask 2-3 children to try each jump individually with teacher support.

3. Jumping Stations Activity (15 minutes)

Objective: Practice jumps and safe landings with peer support and physical challenge.

Organise the class into 5 groups of 5, rotating through these stations every 3 minutes:

Station	Activity Description	Key Learning Focus
1. Tuck Jump Mat	Children practise tuck jumps on a soft mat. Coach monitors landings.	Controlled tuck jumps and landing softly.
2. Star Jump Markers	Use coloured floor markers; children do star jumps stepping onto markers.	Coordination and spatial awareness.
3. Jump & Land Game	Children jump from one side of the mat to the other focusing on landing position.	Balance and absorbing impact safely.
4. Creative Jumping	Children use scarves/ribbons and invent their own jumping shapes.	Creativity and expressive movement.
5. Jumping Freeze	Play music, children jump when music plays, freeze in landing position when stopped.	Listening skills & body control.

Rotate groups quickly but with clear transitions to avoid crowding and ensure safety.

4. Cool-down & Reflection (5 minutes)

Objective: Calm the body and reinforce learning.

• Gather children in a circle sitting on the floor.
• Lead gentle stretches: reach for the sky, touch toes, breathing in deeply.
• Facilitate a brief discussion:
  • “What was your favourite jump today and why?”
  • “How do we land safely to keep our knees happy?”
• Praise effort and encourage children to try jumping safely outside school.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide additional support and modelling for children with motor delays or coordination difficulties.
• Offer challenge: children confident with basic jumps can try continuous tuck jumps or adding a small turn on landing.
• Adaptations for children with physical impairments include seated jump simulations or visualisation exercises if jumping is impossible.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe children’s ability to perform tuck and star jumps with controlled landings.
• Note listening and ability to follow safety instructions in activities.
• Use anecdotal notes on children’s creative jumping in station 4.
• Peer feedback during group rotations (verbal encouragement).

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Safety Considerations

• Check mats are securely placed and free from hazards.
• Ensure space is clear of obstacles.
• Emphasise soft knees on landing to prevent injury.
• Adult supervision ratio of 1:10 supported by teaching assistants to monitor riskiest stations.

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Extension Idea

Use a simple obstacle course incorporating jumps and safe landings at home or during outdoor playtime, encouraging children to explore movement further in a familiar environment.

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Teacher’s Reflection Notes

• Were transitions smooth? Did children use space safely?
• Which jumping technique was most challenging?
• Observe if children are starting to internalise landing safety cues.
• Plan to build on balance and coordination in lesson 4 with rolling and landing shapes.

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This lesson blends fun, physical skill development, and safety awareness to foster confident movement and joy in gymnastics basics — perfect for the energetic, imaginative Reception child.