Grade 1 Movement Activities Basic Motor Skill – Locomotion skills:Walking Notes

• Children will walk safely and steadily in straight and curved paths.
• Children will control their speed and direction.
• Children will use arms and head correctly for balance.

• Open space (school yard, classroom cleared of desks, or community field)
• Chalk or masking tape to mark lines on the ground
• Cones, bottles filled with sand, or small mats for obstacles
• Whistle or teacher's voice for signals

1. Shake hands and feet — 10 seconds (shake like you are waking up).
2. March on the spot — lift knees a little, swing elbows (20 counts).
3. Reach up to the sky then bend to touch toes (2 times).

Mark a straight line with chalk or tape. Each child takes turns walking heel to toe on the line.

• Teacher shows: one foot in front of the other, eyes forward, arms slightly out for balance.
• Use simple praise: "Good walking!", "Nzuri!"

Place cones or small mats in a zigzag pattern. Children walk slowly between obstacles, changing direction carefully.

• Teacher demonstrates turning the body, looking where to go, using small steps.
• Make it fun: time small groups, or add simple commands.

Children follow a leader who walks in different ways: slow, fast, tiptoe, big steps. Use a Kenya song or simple call-and-response in English and Kiswahili:

Teacher: "Walk slow — tembea pole pole." / "Walk fast — tembea haraka!"

Use fun signals: clap once = stop, two claps = change direction.

• Head up, eyes forward — look where you are going.
• Step heel first, then toes.
• Arms loose and swing a little to help balance.
• Take small steps when turning.

• Wear comfortable shoes (no slippery sandals).
• Keep hands to yourself — no pushing.
• Use a clear, level space away from traffic and hard objects.
• Teacher watches and guides each child.

For each child, tick if they can:

• ☐ Walk in a straight line without stepping off
• ☐ Change direction safely around an obstacle
• ☐ Keep eyes forward and arms relaxed
• ☐ Follow leader's walking speed (slow/fast)

• Ask children to practice heel-to-toe walking at home along a line (use tape on floor).
• Parents can play "follow the leader" in the compound or garden.

• "How did you keep your balance?" / "Ulipataje usawa?"
• "Can you walk slowly and then quickly on the teacher's signal?"
• "What should we do before we start walking?" (warm-up, shoes, space)