How to Teach the Essential Skills of Running

Fundamental motor skills are important to enable children to perform every day functions, such as walking and running, playground skills (e.g. climbing) and sporting skills (e.g. catching,

throwing and hitting a ball with a bat).  Run is one of the eleven primary

important fundamental motor skills to learn, particularly for students in

Early Childhood.  Teachers will learn the importance of running, as these

actions require proper coordination and strength from multiple body

segments to produce the skill.  Children will develop improved running

techniques and lateral movements to engage the lower and upper body

through various levels of coordination.

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In this unit, students will learn:

1. Eyes focused forward throughout the run

2. Knees bend at right angles during the recovery phase

3. Arms bend at elbows and move in opposition to legs

4. Contact ground with front part of foot

5. Body leans slightly forward

 Teaching Running is a great way to engage your students with

essential fundamental movement skills.  This unit promotes

coordination and team skills.  Have a look at the Early Childhood PE

Running Lessons Pack (click the link to the side).  You will be fully equipped to teach a huge range of activities for your grades K – 2.  You will also receive the I CAN posters, student checklists, lessons and more.