Developing
Children discover how to walk efficiently and practise walking at various speeds and levels, in different directions, individually, in pairs and in groups. Characteristics of walking at the developing phase of learning include:
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the walking pattern is less bouncy
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arms swing in opposition to legs, with some stiffness
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stride is inconsistent
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head is too far forward
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body is not straight.
Discovering
Consolidating
Learning about walking through exploring and discovering is the focus of the activities in this learning phase. Children exhibit the following characteristics of walking:
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the walking pattern is bouncy or jerky
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arms swing excessively away from sides
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feet are too close together
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feet are too far apart
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toes are turned in or turned out
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head is too far forward.
The focus for this phase is on walking to a rhythm, sustaining an efficient walking style and walking in a variety of contexts. A mature walking pattern at this phase includes the following characteristics:
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the walking pattern is smooth and easy
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body is straight, with good posture
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arms swing freely in a relaxed manner and in opposition to legs
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toes point straight ahead and strides are easy.
Walking
Learning cues
Hold body straight, with good posture (walk tall). Keep head up, look straight ahead. Swing arms freely and naturally in
opposition to feet. Point toes straight ahead. Use a heel–toe action. Take easy strides.
Discovering
Activities in this phase involve children discovering different ways of running: in space, through different pathways and levels, and at varying speeds. The following are some characteristics of running for this phase:
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leg swing is limited, with a stiff, uneven stride
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no obvious flight phase
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arms are stiff and swing out from the body
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legs and feet swing out from the body
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running pattern features a wide base of support.
Developing
Practising running efficiently, at different speeds and in varying directions is a focus for learning in this phase. Children in the developing phase of the running skill exhibit the following characteristics:
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running stride is more even
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a limited flight phase is evident
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back leg extends to push off and give more momentum
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arm swing increases and occurs closer to the body.
Consolidating
Children at this level apply the skill of running in different contexts, including sustained running and sprint activities, evading opponents (e.g. in tag games) and running with others. A mature running pattern includes the following characteristics:
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stride is a good length, has an even rhythm and includes a definite flight phase
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supporting leg extends fully
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Arms are bent and swing backwards and forwards in opposition to legs.
Running
Jumping
Discovering
Children discover for themselves many different ways and qualities of jumping. Characteristics of jumping during this learning phase are listed below:
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limited arm action
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preparatory crouch is inconsistent
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arms are ‘wild’ in flight in an attempt to maintain balance
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they fall backwards consistently in landing
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head lift is minimal
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arms are poorly coordinated with leg and trunk action
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little height/distance is achieved
Developing
Children develop their jumping skills by practising jumping for height and distance, jumping to a rhythm and jumping over ropes and obstacles. Jumping characteristics for this learning phase are listed below:
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arm action initiates jumping action
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arms aid flight, but not forcefully
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extension of legs and feet at take-off is more consistent
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children take off with two feet
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the body does not extend fully during flight
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there is some forward movement on landing
Consolidating
Learning cues
Bend knees – crouch position. Swing arms back, then forwards. Explode from crouch position. Push off from toes. Land with knees
bent to absorb the shock.
Children consistently display the skills of jumping, and apply these in varying contexts and with others. Characteristics of jumping in the consolidating phase are described below:
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arms swing back behind the body in preparation
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preparatory crouch position is deeper and more consistent
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arms swing forward with force during take-off, reaching up high
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ankles, knees and feet extend fully at take-off
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Body leans forward at landing.
Learning cues
Swing both arms back, then vigorously forward and upward. Push off from toes in take-off. Land on toes, then ball of foor, bending knee to absorb shock.
Discovering
In this phase children enjoy being creative with hopping and discovering the different qualities of hopping. Characteristics at the discovering phase of learning are:
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body is upright
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very little height or distance is achieved in the hop
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children lose balance easily – they can do only one or two hops.
Developing
Children develop hopping techniques through practising the skill of hopping in games and activities. Characteristics of hopping in this phase are:
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children lean slightly forwards
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arms move forwards and backwards vigorously
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knees flex in landing
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balance is poorly controlled.
Applying the skill of hopping to a variety of contexts is the focus of this phase. Characteristics of hopping in this phase are:
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non-hopping leg is used to support the take-off and momentum of the hop
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body leans forwards over the hopping foot
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arms are coordinated with take-off, moving forwards and upwards
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hopping action is continuous and rhythmical.
Learning cues
Step forward and hop on the same foot. Repeat witht he other foot. Lift knee sharply upward.
Practise marching with high knees and add a hop at the top.
Skipping
Discovering
Learning in this phase focuses on discovering different ways of skipping, having fun and being creative when skipping. Characteristics of skipping in this phase are:
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a step–hop action is evident, though it tends to a double hop or double step
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arms are not coordinated
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skipping appears uncoordinated.
Developing
Skipping to a rhythm, sustained skipping and skipping to evade an opponent are skipping skills developed in this phase. Characteristics of skipping in this phase are:
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step–hop is more coordinated
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arms move rhythmically to assist in overall coordination
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landing is flat-footed.
Consolidating
Applying skipping patterns to different rhythms in various contexts is the focus of learning in this phase. Characteristics of the mature skipping pattern are:
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step–hop pattern is smooth and coordinated
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arms are used in the hopping action and are coordinated throughout the action
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children land on their toes.
Hopping
Consolidating
Unit 1 Skill Development and Success Criteria
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Learning cues
Hold head up, look ahead. Lean body slightly forward. Lift knees. Bend arms at the elbows, swing arms backwards and
forwards from shoulders. Move arms in opposition to leg action. Land on heels. Push off with the balls of the feet. As running speed is increased, body lean and arm action increases. In a fast run, the balls of the feet contact the ground first.