C. Physical Development and Health

Name of Activity:

Fun Racing Time – Move Your Way!

 

Originating Idea:

Four-year-olds have lots of energy and love using their bodies in different ways. This activity allows children to take the lead in choosing how they move while practicing various gross motor skills in a playful, open-ended setting.

 

Curriculum Area:

KDI 16: Gross-Motor Skills

 

Materials:

Outdoor space or indoor gym

Cones, chalk, or visual markers (optional for starting lines or paths), Music (optional for added movement cues)

 

Appropriate Age Group:

4 Years Old

 

Beginning of Activity:

Gather the children as a large group and say:
“Today, we’re going to have a movement race, but it’s not just running! You get to choose how you move. Maybe you’ll hop like a bunny, crawl like a bear, or dance like you’re at a party! We’ll take turns being the movement leaders and following each other around the playground.”Briefly model a few movement options with the group (walk, run, hop, jump, skip, crawl).

 

Middle of Activity

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Early 

Children follow the teacher's simple movements (walk, run, jump). The teacher encourages imitation: “Let’s all try crawling like a bear together!”

 

Middle

Children begin choosing their movements. Ask guiding questions: “How do you want to move next?” “Can you hop three times?”Children start leading short turns while the group follows.

 

Later

Children independently create movement sequences (e.g., “First we skip, then crawl!”). They choose friends to follow their lead and describe how they’re moving. Encourage reflection: “Why did you choose that move? How did it feel?”

 

End of Activity:

Give a 5-minute warning and say:
“Before we head in, you can move around the playground any way you want just be safe and have fun!”
Call the group afterward to do a quick cool-down stretch and say:
“Tell me your favorite way to move today!”

 

Follow-Up Ideas:

Add movement dice or cards to circle time with jumping, galloping, wiggling, or tiptoeing. Set up an obstacle course that incorporates different movement styles. Introduce themed movement games (e.g., Animal Races, Freeze Dance, or Movement Simon Says). Track different ways the class moves each week and make a class movement chart.

 

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Name of Activity:

Body Part Dancing – Move and Groove with Me!

 

Originating Idea:

Four-year-olds learn best through movement and music. Dancing to songs that highlight body parts helps children develop gross-motor coordination, body awareness, and the ability to follow directions while reinforcing vocabulary.

 

Curriculum Area:

16: Gross-Motor Skills 18: Body Awareness

 

Materials:

Music player or radio

Songs such as Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes or Move Your Body

A book about body parts (e.g., From Head to Toe by Eric Carle)

Open space for dancing

 

Appropriate Age Group:

4 Years Old

 

Beginning of Activity:

Gather children in a large group and say:
“Today, we’re going to learn about our amazing bodies by dancing!

First, let’s read a book to help us remember the names of our body parts.”
Read a short interactive book about the body. Then explain:
“We’ll play music, and when I name a body part, you’ll touch and dance with it!”

 

Middle of Activity​

Early

Children attempt to touch the named body part while the teacher models.

Use slow-paced music and give clear verbal and visual cues:

“This is your shoulder—let’s all touch our shoulders and wiggle!”

 

Middle

Children respond more quickly to verbal cues and touch simple body parts (head, feet, arms).

Encourage peer demonstration: “Can someone show us where your elbow is?”

Add simple two-part directions: “Touch your nose, then wiggle your toes!”

 

Later

Children identify and move with less commonly used body parts (ankles, wrists, hips).

Invite children to lead: “Jade, choose three body parts for us to dance with!”

Challenge them to create a short movement routine using 2–3 body parts.

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End of Activity:

Bring the children together and review what they’ve learned.
 

Ask
“What body parts did you move today? Which ones were easy or tricky to find?”
Lead a short stretching routine using the body parts discussed, then transition:
“Great job, dancers! Now let’s wash up and get ready for lunch.”

 

Follow-Up Ideas

Add books about the body to the reading area (My Amazing Body, Me, and My Amazing Body).

Set up a mirror station where children can point to and name body parts.

Use body part flashcards in small groups or dramatic play.

Revisit the activity using scarves or ribbons for extended movement.

 

 

 

 

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Name of Activity:

Food Freeze – Dancing Our Way to Healthy Choices!

 

Originating Idea:

Four-year-olds are developing awareness of their bodies and what keeps them healthy. This high-energy game combines movement with critical thinking, helping children differentiate between healthy and unhealthy foods in an engaging way.16: Gross-Motor Skills 20: Healthy Behavior

 

Materials:

Laminated pictures of various foods (a mix of healthy and unhealthy options), a music player, and upbeat music Open space for safe movement, Tape or floor spots to secure food pictures in a large circle

 

Appropriate Age Group:

4 Years Old

 

Beginning of Activity:

Gather children in a large circle. Begin with a discussion:
“Today, we will discuss the foods we eat. Some foods help our bodies grow strong and healthy, and others are okay to enjoy sometimes, but not always.”
Show a few pictures and ask: “Is this food healthy or unhealthy? Why?”
Then say:
“Now we’re going to play Food Freeze! When the music plays, you’ll move around the circle however you want. When the music stops, freeze a food picture and tell us what it is and if it’s healthy!” Demonstrate how to move safely and freeze in a spot.

 

Middle of Activity

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Early 

Children move with teacher cues (walk, skip, wiggle). When the music stops, the teacher models:

“This is a banana, it’s healthy because it helps our body grow.”Encourage simple responses:

“Say the name of your food.”

 

Middle

Children begin naming foods on their own.

Ask prompting questions:

“Have you ever eaten this?” “Is it healthy?”Introduce new vocabulary: “broccoli,” “protein,” “treat,” etc.

 

Later

Children take turns leading movement types (e.g., tiptoe, dance, hop). They describe their food and explain why it’s healthy:
“This is a cookie. It’s a sometimes food.”Encourage peer discussion: “Raise your hand if you’ve tried this!”

 

End of Activity

Let children know there will be one final round of Food Freeze.
After the round, gather in a seated circle.

Review the foods together:
“Let’s look at all the pictures we danced to. Which ones are healthy? Which ones are treated?”
Praise participation and say: “Great job learning to make healthy choices!”

 

Follow-Up Ideas

Add books about nutrition to the reading area (Eat Your Colors, The Very Hungry Caterpillar).

Invite children to draw their favorite healthy foods and create a “Healthy Choices” wall display.

Set up a dramatic play, “Grocery Store,” with pretend food sorting stations.

Include a cooking experience like making fruit salad or smoothies later in the week.