Strider Bike Skills
Lesson Overview
- Unit: Strider Bike Adventures (Lesson 5 of 7)
- Subject: Physical Education
- Year Group: Kindergarten
- Time Duration: 30 Minutes
- Class Size: 16 Students
- UK Curriculum Link: EYFS Physical Development – Moving and Handling
- Learning Objectives:
- Develop control and coordination when riding a Strider bike.
- Practise fundamental locomotor movements: starting, stopping, and turning.
- Build confidence and balance in a controlled environment.
Resources & Equipment
- 16 Strider bikes (one per child)
- Cones to mark start/stop zones and turning points
- Safety helmets (one per child)
- Whistle for teacher cueing
- Floor markers for visual guidance
Lesson Breakdown
1. Warm-Up (5 Minutes) – Get Moving!
Objective: Prepare the body for movement and introduce key concepts.
Activity: “Traffic Light Signals”
- Red Light: Stop and stand still.
- Yellow Light: Walk beside the bike.
- Green Light: Glide forward using balanced strides.
💡 Teacher Tip: Use exaggerated body movements to model each action and engage children in a fun and interactive way.
2. Main Activity (20 Minutes) – Bike Control Mastery
A. Starting & Stopping (5 Minutes)
- Line up students at the starting line.
- Demonstrate “push-glide” technique for starting.
- Children take turns practising starting confidently.
- Introduce stopping with “foot-down braking,” ensuring safety.
- Reinforce stopping using visual markers (cones).
📢 Verbal Cue: “Push, glide, stop!”
B. Turning & Changing Direction (5 Minutes)
- Set up cones in a gentle slalom course.
- Demonstrate slow, controlled turning (leaning slightly and using small corrections).
- Encourage children to navigate the turns gradually.
- Pair children and let them observe each other to reinforce learning.
🎯 Challenge: “Can you turn without putting your foot down?”
C. Confidence Course (10 Minutes) – Adventure Ride!
- Create a short, structured bike path with start/stop points and turns.
- Students ride around the course, applying all learned skills.
- Introduce challenges like “freeze” stops and smooth turns.
- Provide encouraging feedback, especially for hesitant riders.
🤩 Engagement Idea: Give each child a “Bike Explorer” sticker when they complete the course successfully.
3. Cool Down (5 Minutes) – Park & Reflect
Activity: “Park & Stretch”
- Guide students to slowly ride to a designated “bike parking” area.
- Lead a short stretching routine: big arm circles, gentle leg stretches.
- Discuss their favourite part of the lesson and what they found challenging.
🗣 Reflection Questions:
- “What was easy about riding today?”
- “What did you learn about stopping?”
- “How did it feel to turn?”
Assessment & Differentiation
Assessment Criteria:
✅ Can the child start the bike with controlled movement?
✅ Can they stop safely and confidently?
✅ Can they turn without losing balance?
✅ Are they demonstrating improved confidence on their Strider bike?
Differentiation Strategies:
- For Less Confident Riders: Offer extra support by holding handlebars lightly or using a lead-follow method.
- For More Advanced Riders: Introduce tighter turns or encourage them to glide for longer distances.
- For SEN Students: Provide additional time for practice and use visual cue cards to reinforce instructions.
Teacher Reflection
- What strategies worked best for engaging students?
- Which students might need additional support in the next lesson?
- Did the pacing of activities allow all students to grasp concepts confidently?
👀 Forward Planning: The next lesson will further develop students’ ability to ride independently and increase their speed and endurance on different surfaces.
🚴 Closing Thought: “Every child is on their own biking adventure—our goal is to make the journey safe, exciting, and confidence-boosting!”