Tag: movement

Shapes, Levels and Balances – Infants 2 PE

Aven BrisailLeave a comment

Gymnasts make amazing shapes and balances. Let us see what shapes your body can make!

Body shapes

  • long and thin like a pencil
  • wide like a star
  • curled like a ball
  • twisted like a corkscrew

Levels and pathways

Make your shapes at a high level (on tiptoe), a middle level (kneeling or bending) and a low level (on the floor). Move along a straight, curved or zigzag pathway.

Balances

Can you balance on 4 body parts (two hands, two feet)? On 3? On 2? On 1? Hold still for 3 seconds. Then transfer your weight by rocking, rolling, stepping or sliding into a new balance.

The stork stand

  1. Stand tall on one leg.
  2. Place the other foot against the inside of your standing knee.
  3. Hands on hips. Look at one spot in front of you.
  4. Hold for 10 seconds! Then try the other leg.

The side roll (pencil roll)

  1. Lie on your back on a mat, body long and straight like a pencil.
  2. Stretch your arms above your head, legs together.
  3. Keep your body stiff and roll sideways onto your tummy, then onto your back.
  4. Roll in a straight line to the end of the mat.

⚠️ Warm up first, use a clear space with no furniture or hard edges, and have a grown-up nearby. Rolls must be done on a mat or soft grass.

TRY ITMove and balance

Choose a game.

Let’s practise

Try each one. Then tap Show answer to check.

1. Name three body shapes.

Show answer

For example long and thin, wide, curled, twisted.

2. Name the three levels.

Show answer

High, middle, low.

3. Name three pathways.

Show answer

Straight, curved, zigzag.

4. How long should you hold the stork stand?

Show answer

10 seconds.

5. How does your body look in a side roll?

Show answer

Long, straight and stiff like a pencil.

Quick check

1. Can you balance on 3 body parts? Which ones?

Show answer

For example two hands and one foot.

2. Name one way to transfer weight.

Show answer

Rocking, rolling, stepping or sliding.

3. Why look at one spot in a balance?

Show answer

It helps you stay steady.

Words to know

Say these words with a grown-up. Can you use each one in a sentence?

shape · level · pathway · balance · transfer weight · stork stand · side roll

Try it at home

  • Practise the stork stand while brushing your teeth (hold the sink with one hand at first).
  • Make up a sequence: a shape, a roll, a balance. Show your family.
  • Walk a zigzag pathway across the yard.

For parents and teachers

After this lesson, your child should be able to:

  • make shapes at different levels and move along different pathways
  • balance on 1–4 body parts and transfer weight
  • perform the stork stand and side roll with good form

Warm up first, use a clear space with no furniture or hard edges, and have a grown-up nearby.

Previous: Infants 2 lessons (all subjects)
Next: Run, Jump, Throw and Catch

© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.

Dance: Moving in Space – Infants 2 Arts

Aven BrisailLeave a comment

Dancers use their whole body! They move through space, change speed and freeze like statues. Clear a space and let us dance.

Personal space and general space

Personal space is the bubble around you – stretch your arms out and turn: you should not touch anyone. General space is the whole room or yard that everyone shares.

Ways to move

Travelling (moving across the space)On the spot
walk, run, hop, skip, jump, gallop, glide, slidereach, bend, stretch, twist, turn, sway

Words that describe movement

  • Direction: forward, backward, sideways, up, down
  • Speed: fast, slow
  • Force: lightly (like a feather), strongly (like a giant)
  • Freely: loose and floppy; tightly: stiff like a robot

Stillness and motion

Moving and then freezing makes a dance exciting. Try: run lightly for 4 counts, freeze for 4 counts, glide backward for 4 counts, freeze!

⚠️ Rolls, somersaults and flips must only be done on a soft mat or grass with a teacher or grown-up watching.

TRY ITDance space

Choose a game.

Let’s practise

Try each one. Then tap Show answer to check.

1. Name three ways to travel in a dance.

Show answer

For example walk, run, hop, skip, glide, gallop.

2. Name four words that describe movement.

Show answer

For example forward, backward, lightly, strongly, fast, slow, freely.

3. What is personal space?

Show answer

The bubble of space around your own body.

4. Make a sequence: move, freeze, move, freeze. Which moves did you use?

Show answer

Your own answer.

5. Where is it safe to roll?

Show answer

On a soft mat or grass with a grown-up watching.

Quick check

1. What is general space?

Show answer

The whole space everyone shares.

2. Is a twist a travelling move or an on-the-spot move?

Show answer

On the spot.

3. Why freeze in a dance?

Show answer

Stillness makes the movement stand out and is exciting to watch.

Words to know

Say these words with a grown-up. Can you use each one in a sentence?

personal space · general space · travel · forward · backward · lightly · strongly · freely · glide · freeze

Try it at home

  • Play freeze dance with your family using music you like.
  • Make a 3-part sequence: travel, freeze, travel. Show a grown-up.
  • Describe your sequence with 3 words (for example: forward, lightly, freeze).

For parents and teachers

After this lesson, your child should be able to:

  • move the whole body in personal and general space
  • use 4–6 words to describe space and dynamics
  • create short sequences with stillness and motion
  • try new ways of moving, such as gliding
  • describe ways of travelling

The freeze-dance drum is made by the page itself (no internet audio). Make sure there is a clear, safe space with no sharp furniture corners.

Previous: Art: Collage, Buildings and a Model Street
Next: Dance: Telling Stories with Dance

© 2026 Vedesh Kungebeharry. All rights reserved.