Island Hoppers Lesson Plan
Pre-K Physical Education Ages 3–5
Island Hoppers & Ocean Chasers
Gross Motor Coordination • Auditory Processing • Spatial Awareness
30–35 Minutes
Setting: Gym or Grassy Field
Class Size: Any (10–25+ kids)
Motor Skills
Dynamic stopping/starting, two-foot jumping, toe touches, balancing on mats, multi-directional fleeing.
Listening & Response
Auditory filtering (following "Simon Says" cues), inhibitory impulse control, verbal cue reaction.
Spatial & Safety
Navigating open "ocean" spaces without bumping peers; gentle two-finger safety tags; sharing islands.
Setup, Materials & Safety Essentials
Zero Prep Needed for Warm-Up
Required Materials:
• 4–6 Gym / Tumbling Mats ("Islands" scattered across middle room)
• Floor Lines or Cones (Baseline starting beach & opposite shore)
• No props required for Simon Says warm-up
Non-Negotiable Safety Rules:
• Airplane Wings (Bubble Space): Arms wide to prevent collisions.
• Feet First: No diving, sliding, or tackling onto mats.
• Butterfly Tags: Soft two-finger touch on shoulders only.
Phase 1 (8–10 Min)
Warm-Up: Simon Says Body Explorers
Props: None • Space: Scattered in Open Gym
Crucial Early Childhood Pedagogy — No "Outs"!
Young learners are still developing impulse control. If a child moves when Simon didn't say, do not eliminate them. Instead, lead a dramatic group gasp, yell "Uh oh! Simon didn't say!", have them shake out their sillies for 2 seconds, and jump right back in!
Standard Movement Commands
- • "Simon says... Jump up and touch the clouds!" (All jump high)
- • "Simon says... Touch your wiggly toes!" (Hamstring bend)
- • "Simon says... Spin around once and freeze!" (Balance check)
- • "Simon says... March like heavy giant elephants!" (High knees)
Trick Commands (Auditory Filter)
- • Teacher says: "Swim like a fish!" (Without "Simon says")
- • Reaction cue: "Uh oh! Simon didn’t say! Did your fish fins swim?"
- • Teacher says: "Clap your hands!" (Hold hands still)
- • Silly Reset: "Wiggle your noses and freeze like ice statues!"
Transition Storyline: "Our bodies are warm and ready! Look out... the gym floor has turned into the deep blue ocean!"
Early Childhood PE Curriculum • Lesson 1: Dynamic Spatial Movement Page 1 of 2
Phase 2 (15–20 Min)
Main Movement Game: Islands & Sharks
Equipment: 4–6 Foam Mats ("Islands")
Objective & Core Rules
Students start lined up on one shore (baseline wall). The open floor is the Deep Ocean. When the teacher calls "Swimmers, navigate the sea!", students run safely across to the other shore. Stepping onto any foam mat is an "Island" where swimmers are completely safe from sharks!
The Swimmers Cross the ocean room. Spot open mats if danger approaches; freeze balanced on islands.
The Sharks Teacher (or 2 helper students). Roam the ocean using gentle two-finger butterfly tags.
Safe Islands Foam mats are 100% shark-proof! Max 3–4 swimmers per mat; encourage sharing and scooting over.
Game Progressions & Anti-Camping Rule
Round 1 Island Exploration: No sharks yet. Children practice navigating open space and freezing with two feet balanced on mats when teacher calls "Red Alert! Tide is rising!"
Round 2 Friendly Sharks Emerge: Teacher roams chanting "Chomp, chomp, looking for wiggly toes!" Swimmers flee to mats. Tagged swimmers become helper starfish cheering from shore.
Round 3 High Tide (Anti-Camping Rule): If students linger safely on mats too long: "High Tide! This island is sinking in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Swim!" All must dash to a new island!
Phase 3 (5–8 Min)
Calm Seas Cool-Down & Reflection Debrief
Breathwork: "Ocean Inhale (4s) • Wave Exhale (4s)"
Gather students in a seated "Island Circle" on the mats. Guide slow starfish arm stretches while discussing:
1. Listening & Self-Control
"In Simon Says, what was tricky about keeping our bodies frozen when Simon didn't say?"
Focus: Catching impulses and pausing before reacting.
2. Spatial Decision Making
"When a shark came close to you, how did your eyes help you find an open mat to escape?"
Focus: Scanning the room and choosing open pathways.
3. Teamwork & Space Sharing
"What did you do with your body when a friend needed room to stand safe on your island?"
Focus: Scooting over, welcoming friends, and empathy.
4. Body Awareness Check
"Put a hand on your chest. Is your heartbeat engine racing fast like a speedboat or calm like a sailboat?"
Focus: Connecting movement exertion to heart rate.
Early Learner Adaptations & Variations
Timid Movers Pair cautious children with a peer buddy or give them a foam pool noodle "life preserver" to build crossing confidence.
Sensory Support Designate a quiet "Sandy Shore" mat along the perimeter where overwhelmed learners can sit and take calm breath breaks.
Locomotor Variety Switch up crossing styles between rounds: giant ocean steps, tiptoe paddling, or side-stepping crab walks.
Early Childhood PE Curriculum • Lesson 1: Dynamic Spatial Movement Page 2 of 2
Waddle Racers Lesson Plan
Pre-K Physical Education Ages 3–5
Waddle Racers & Kangaroo Hops
Lower-Body Squeeze Strength • Dynamic Balance • Persistence & Resilience
30–35 Minutes
Setting: Gym or Smooth Lawn
Class Size: Any (10–25+ kids)
Adductor Strength
Isometric knee squeezing, inner thigh muscle engagement, and sustained lower-body clamping while in motion.
Dynamic Balancing
Bilateral foot coordination, short-stride waddling, two-foot mini-hops, and upright posture adjustment.
Growth Mindset
Self-regulation and cheerful persistence when dropped objects occur ("Oopsie hatch! Reset and keep going!").
Setup, Materials & Safety Essentials
Warm-Up Requires Zero Props
Required Materials:
• Balloons, 7" Soft Playground Balls, or Plush Toys (1 per student)
• 8–10 Cones (To designate start line and finish line, 15–20 ft apart)
• Mesh Bag or Tub (For quick ball storage and distribution)
Non-Negotiable Safety Rules:
• Clear Travel Lanes: Ample sideways spacing between waddlers.
• Controlled Small Steps: No wild running while clamping knees.
• Hands Free for Balance: Arms out wide like penguin flippers!
Phase 1 (8–10 Min)
Warm-Up: Animal Waddle & Balance Safari
Props: None • Space: Scattered in Open Gym
Movement Priming for Knee-Clamping Mechanics
Holding a ball between the knees requires adductor contraction that Pre-K children rarely isolate. This playful safari mimics animal shapes to activate inner thigh muscles, ankle stiffness, and counterbalanced arm postures before introducing props!
Locomotive Waddles & Hops
- • Penguin Waddle: Squeeze ankles & knees together, hands down like flippers, take tiny heel-to-toe waddles.
- • Kangaroo Mini-Hops: Glue knees together, bend ankles, take 5 springy two-foot hops in place!
- • Duck Walk: Deep knee squat waddle (activates quadriceps and inner thigh stability).
Static Balance Freezes
- • Flamingo Perch: Lift one knee high, extend wings wide, balance like a statue for a 3-second count.
- • Glue Legs Freeze: Teacher calls "Super Glue!" Children clamp knees together so tight nobody can pull them apart!
