Within art this week, Year R children had great fun impersonating train drivers, steering an imaginary steam train and avoiding obstacles on the tracks. Approximately half the class told me that they had driven a real train before so I knew we were all in safe hands!!!
After a short chat about trains, Year R warmed up their shoulders, core and whole body with some stretches. We then watched and practiced our dance moves and driving instructions:
Gears. Drive. Wipers. BRAKE!
Gears. Drive. Wipers. BRAKE!
Gears. Drive. Wipers. BRAKE!
Gears. Drive. Wipers. BRAKE!
The children noticed that the instructions were a repeating pattern.
We opened our cabs, sat down, put on our seat belts and began our dance routine to the song, Love Train by The O'Jays. The routine encouraged pupils to use their shoulders and arms; twist their core; stretch their arms out wide and practise using both arms simultaneously.
Armed with a chalk in both hand, pupils went on to make these shapes on the walls of the classroom and outside on the playground.
Year R practise their gross motor skills every day at school. Gross motor skills are those using the children’s whole bodies. Practising specific movements strengthens muscles and helps children to become increasingly confident, agile and flexible. These skills are essential and must be obtained before going on to develop fine motor skills and learning to write and draw.
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