What does PE look like at this age?

Most of the year is about basic body movement. Students practice running, skipping, hopping, jumping, balancing, throwing, catching, and kicking. They also learn how to take turns, follow directions in a group, and play safely in a shared space.

How can I help my child build these skills at home?

Ten minutes of active play covers most of it. Roll or toss a ball back and forth, play tag in the yard, set up a simple obstacle course with pillows, or put on music and dance. The goal is moving every day, not drilling skills.

My child seems clumsy compared to other kids. Should I worry?

At this age, skills like catching, skipping, and balancing on one foot are still developing. Some students get there months before others. Keep offering active play and short practice with throwing and catching. Talk to the PE teacher if it still feels behind by spring.

How should I sequence motor skills across the year?

Start with locomotor skills like walking, running, and jumping in open space, since students need to move safely before anything else. Layer in balancing and other non-locomotor work next. Save manipulative skills like throwing, catching, and kicking for later in the year when body control is stronger.

Which skills usually need the most reteaching?

Skipping, galloping, and catching a tossed ball tend to lag behind running and jumping. Personal space and stopping on a signal also need constant practice. Build short reminders into every warm-up rather than teaching them once and moving on.

How much of class should be about behavior and cooperation?

A real chunk of the year. Students are learning to share equipment, wait for a turn, listen for a whistle or signal, and play near others without bumping. Plan to teach and reteach these routines the way a classroom teacher teaches line-up procedures.

Does my child need special equipment or clothes?

No. Sneakers that fit well and clothes that move are enough. A soft ball, a jump rope, and some sidewalk chalk cover most of what helps at home.

How do I know students are ready for first grade PE?

By spring, most students should run and stop with control, jump with two feet, balance briefly on one foot, and toss and catch a large ball at short distance. They should also follow simple group rules and share equipment without much prompting.

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year students learn that their bodies can do specific things on purpose. Students practice the building blocks of movement: running, jumping, hopping, skipping, throwing, catching, and balancing. They start to follow simple rules in games, take turns, and listen for cues like stop and go. By spring, students can move safely around a gym full of classmates and play a simple game without bumping into anyone or melting down when they lose.

Running and jumping
Throwing and catching
Balance
Following directions
Taking turns
Active play

Source: Illinois Illinois Learning Standards

Year at a glance

How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.

1
Moving safely in shared space
Students learn how to walk, run, and stop without bumping into classmates. They practice listening for signals and using equipment the safe way during games and warm-ups.
2
Basic movement skills
Students try out hopping, skipping, jumping, and galloping. They also practice balancing on one foot, bending, and twisting, building the body control they need for games and recess.
3
Throwing, catching, and kicking
Students start handling balls and beanbags. They roll, toss, catch, and kick toward simple targets, learning to track an object with their eyes and use both hands.
4
Playing and cooperating with others
Students take turns, share equipment, and play simple group games. They practice being a good sport when a game ends and using kind words with partners.
5
Healthy habits and active choices
Students notice how their bodies feel after moving, like a faster heartbeat or warm cheeks. They talk about why exercise, water, and sleep help them feel good and stay strong.

Mastery Learning Standards

The required skills a student should display by the end of Kindergarten.

Physical Education

Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor

IL-PE.1.k

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing. These basic movement skills are the building blocks for sports, games, and staying active for life.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

IL-PE.2.k

Students learn basic ideas about how the body moves and stays healthy, then use those ideas when they play and exercise. Think of it as putting words to what their body already knows how to do.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

IL-PE.3.k

Students practice taking turns, listening, and working with others during movement games and activities. These habits build the respect and cooperation kids carry into every part of school.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

IL-PE.4.k

Students practice moving their bodies every day and start to notice how it makes them feel. This builds the habit of staying active for life.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing. These basic movement skills are the building blocks for sports, games, and staying active for life.	IL-PE.1.k
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students learn basic ideas about how the body moves and stays healthy, then use those ideas when they play and exercise. Think of it as putting words to what their body already knows how to do.	IL-PE.2.k
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice taking turns, listening, and working with others during movement games and activities. These habits build the respect and cooperation kids carry into every part of school.	IL-PE.3.k
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice moving their bodies every day and start to notice how it makes them feel. This builds the habit of staying active for life.	IL-PE.4.k

Physical Education

Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor

IL-PE.1.k

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing. These basic movement skills are the building blocks for sports, games, and staying active for life.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

IL-PE.2.k

Students learn basic ideas about how the body moves and stays healthy, then use those ideas when they play and exercise. Think of it as putting words to what their body already knows how to do.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

IL-PE.3.k

Students practice taking turns, listening, and working with others during movement games and activities. These habits build the respect and cooperation kids carry into every part of school.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

IL-PE.4.k

Students practice moving their bodies every day and start to notice how it makes them feel. This builds the habit of staying active for life.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing. These basic movement skills are the building blocks for sports, games, and staying active for life.	IL-PE.1.k
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students learn basic ideas about how the body moves and stays healthy, then use those ideas when they play and exercise. Think of it as putting words to what their body already knows how to do.	IL-PE.2.k
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice taking turns, listening, and working with others during movement games and activities. These habits build the respect and cooperation kids carry into every part of school.	IL-PE.3.k
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice moving their bodies every day and start to notice how it makes them feel. This builds the habit of staying active for life.	IL-PE.4.k

Common Questions

What does PE look like at this age?
Most of the year is about basic body movement. Students practice running, skipping, hopping, jumping, balancing, throwing, catching, and kicking. They also learn how to take turns, follow directions in a group, and play safely in a shared space.
How can I help my child build these skills at home?
Ten minutes of active play covers most of it. Roll or toss a ball back and forth, play tag in the yard, set up a simple obstacle course with pillows, or put on music and dance. The goal is moving every day, not drilling skills.
My child seems clumsy compared to other kids. Should I worry?
At this age, skills like catching, skipping, and balancing on one foot are still developing. Some students get there months before others. Keep offering active play and short practice with throwing and catching. Talk to the PE teacher if it still feels behind by spring.
How should I sequence motor skills across the year?
Start with locomotor skills like walking, running, and jumping in open space, since students need to move safely before anything else. Layer in balancing and other non-locomotor work next. Save manipulative skills like throwing, catching, and kicking for later in the year when body control is stronger.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Skipping, galloping, and catching a tossed ball tend to lag behind running and jumping. Personal space and stopping on a signal also need constant practice. Build short reminders into every warm-up rather than teaching them once and moving on.
How much of class should be about behavior and cooperation?
A real chunk of the year. Students are learning to share equipment, wait for a turn, listen for a whistle or signal, and play near others without bumping. Plan to teach and reteach these routines the way a classroom teacher teaches line-up procedures.
Does my child need special equipment or clothes?
No. Sneakers that fit well and clothes that move are enough. A soft ball, a jump rope, and some sidewalk chalk cover most of what helps at home.
How do I know students are ready for first grade PE?
By spring, most students should run and stop with control, jump with two feet, balance briefly on one foot, and toss and catch a large ball at short distance. They should also follow simple group rules and share equipment without much prompting.