Grade 3 Movement Basic Motor Skill – Locomotor Skills Notes
Movement — Basic Motor Skill
Subtopic: Locomotor Skills (for age 8)
Locomotor skills are ways you move your body from one place to another. These are things you practise in the school field, playground or at home. Practice helps you play games, run safely in class, and join team games at school.
Learning goals (what you should be able to do):
- Move safely using walk, run, jump, hop and skip.
- Keep balance while landing and changing direction.
- Take part in simple playground games and relays.
Common locomotor skills
Walk — kutembea
🚶♀️
Walk with steady steps. Keep head up and swing arms a little.
Run — kukimbia
🏃♂️
Move faster than walking. Bend knees when landing to avoid falls.
Jump — kuruka
� jump ✋
Push off with two feet and land on two feet. Use arms to help lift.
Hop — ruka kwa mguu mmoja
🦘
Jump on one foot. Try 3–5 hops on the same foot, then change foot.
Skip
🤸♀️
A step and a hop in rhythm. Good for timing and balance.
Why these skills matter
- Help you join games like football, netball and relay races.
- Make your legs strong and your balance better.
- Keep you fit and healthy — good for school and home chores.
Simple steps to practice (try at school or at home)
- Warm up (5 minutes): Walk slowly around the play area, swing arms, gentle leg shakes.
- Practice run: Run 20 metres at easy speed. Bend knees when landing. Rest and repeat 3 times.
- Practice jump: Stand with feet together, bend knees, swing arms up and jump forward. Try 5 times.
- Practice hop: Hop on the right foot 5 times, then the left foot 5 times. Use hands for balance.
- Skip and combine: Skip across the field, then walk back. Do 3 rounds.
Fun games and activities (Kenyan playground ideas)
- Relay race: Divide class into teams. Run and hand over a stick or a small ball.
- Hopscotch with stones: Draw squares with stick and stones, jump and hop to reach the end.
- Obstacle course: Use cones or bottles — run, jump over low rope, hop between markers.
- Tag (mwanangu): One child chases others. Good for running and changing direction.
- Rope skipping: Jump and skip in groups to music or clapping.
Safety tips
- Wear shoes or sandals that fit. Avoid sharp stones or broken glass in the field.
- Warm up before practising. Drink water after play.
- Make sure the play area is clear. Teacher or elder should watch younger children.
How teachers/parents can check progress
Simple checklist
- Can the child run 20 m without tripping? (Yes / No)
- Can the child jump forward 3 times in a row? (Yes / No)
- Can the child hop 5 times on each foot? (Yes / No)
- Can the child skip 10 steps without stopping? (Yes / No)
- Shows safe behaviour (stops when told, drinks water)? (Yes / No)
Teacher/Parent note: Spend 10–15 minutes each day on these activities. Keep instructions short, positive and fun. Use local games and songs to make practice exciting.
Words you might hear in Swahili: run = kukimbia, walk = kutembea, jump = kuruka.
Good luck — keep moving and have fun!