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Physical Education

Skip and Chant

Overview

Children skip around a space in time with a class chant or rhythm.

Learning Objective
Children develop rhythm and coordination through skipping with a chant.

Resources needed

  • Open space

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Teach a simple 4-beat chant (e.g. clap, clap, clap, clap).
  2. 2 Children walk in time with the chant first.
  3. 3 Change to skipping in time.
  4. 4 Add arm swings in time with the chant.
  5. 5 Change direction on a signal.
  6. 6 Let children create their own chant.
  7. 7 Perform chants in groups.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use a local song or rhyme as the chant.
  • Skip in a circle holding hands.
  • Skip with a partner in time.
More information

Use chants in the local language. Rhythm is universal — children can feel the beat even if they don't know the words.

Marching in time is a good alternative for children who find skipping difficult.

Can children stay in time with the chant? Do they coordinate arm and leg movement while skipping?

No equipment needed. The chant is the only resource. Works on any surface.

Children often confuse skipping with galloping. Demonstrate the skip clearly: step-hop on alternating feet.

Rhythm and physical coordination develop together. Chanting while moving is used in traditional games across many cultures.

Activity details
Primary Medium 20 minutes no prep Whole Class, Small Group Outdoor
Topics
Skipping Rhythm Coordination