What does Pre-K physical education actually cover?

Most of the year is about building basic movement: running, jumping, hopping, skipping, balancing, and using hands and feet to roll, throw, kick, and catch. Students also practice taking turns, listening to directions during games, and noticing how their bodies feel when they move.

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

Set aside ten minutes a day for active play. Roll a ball back and forth, play tag in the yard, hop across sidewalk squares, or have a dance party in the kitchen. The goal is lots of practice moving in different ways, not drills.

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

At this age, motor skills develop on very different timelines. Catching a ball, hopping on one foot, and skipping often look shaky all year and click later. Keep offering chances to practice in low-pressure ways and talk to the teacher if specific skills are not improving by spring.

How should I sequence motor skills across the year?

Start with big locomotor skills like walking, running, and jumping in open space. Layer in non-locomotor work such as balancing, bending, and twisting once students can move safely around each other. Save throwing, catching, and kicking for later in the year when body control is steadier.

Which skills usually need the most reteaching?

Skipping, galloping, and catching a tossed ball are the slowest to develop. Hopping on one foot and balancing on one leg also need repeated practice. Plan to revisit these in short bursts across the year rather than teaching them once and moving on.

What does cooperation look like at this age?

It looks like taking turns with one ball, waiting in a loose line, sharing space without bumping, and using words instead of grabbing. Students are just beginning to play with a partner rather than next to one, so simple two-person games matter more than team games.

How do I know students are ready for kindergarten PE?

By spring, most students can run and stop with control, jump with two feet, balance briefly on one foot, and roll or toss a ball toward a partner. They can also follow a two-step direction in a game and play alongside others without constant reminders about hands and feet.

Does screen-free active time really make a difference?

Yes. Twenty to sixty minutes of active play a day builds the coordination, strength, and stamina that everything else in PE rests on. Walks to the park, backyard play, and trips to the playground all count.

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year movement becomes a class of its own. Students practice the building blocks of running, jumping, hopping, balancing, and tossing, and learn how their bodies feel when they get tired or warm. They start sharing space with classmates, taking turns, and following simple game rules. By spring, students can move safely through a group activity, follow a few directions in a row, and name an activity they enjoy.

Running and jumping
Throwing and catching
Balance
Taking turns
Following directions
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 a shared space
Students learn to walk, run, and stop without bumping into friends. They practice listening for signals and using the gym or play area in a safe way.
2
Building basic movement skills
Students try out big movements like hopping, jumping, skipping, and galloping. They also practice bending, twisting, and balancing while standing still.
3
Playing with balls and objects
Students roll, toss, catch, and kick using soft balls and beanbags. Parents may notice better hand-eye coordination during catch at home.
4
Playing and cooperating with others
Students take turns, share equipment, and play simple group games. They practice kind words and following directions during active play.
5
Healthy habits and active choices
Students notice how their bodies feel after moving, like a fast heartbeat or needing water. They start to see exercise as something fun they want to do.

Mastery Learning Standards

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

Physical Education

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

IL-PE.1.pk

Students practice basic ways to move their bodies: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing. These early movement skills build the habits that keep kids active as they grow.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

IL-PE.2.pk

Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to use during active play. Knowing why to stretch, warm up, or pace yourself helps students join in and keep going.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

IL-PE.3.pk

Students practice getting along with others during movement activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and follow the rules of simple games.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

IL-PE.4.pk

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 basic ways to move their bodies: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing. These early movement skills build the habits that keep kids active as they grow.	IL-PE.1.pk
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to use during active play. Knowing why to stretch, warm up, or pace yourself helps students join in and keep going.	IL-PE.2.pk
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice getting along with others during movement activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and follow the rules of simple games.	IL-PE.3.pk
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.pk

Physical Education

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

IL-PE.1.pk

Students practice basic ways to move their bodies: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing. These early movement skills build the habits that keep kids active as they grow.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

IL-PE.2.pk

Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to use during active play. Knowing why to stretch, warm up, or pace yourself helps students join in and keep going.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

IL-PE.3.pk

Students practice getting along with others during movement activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and follow the rules of simple games.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

IL-PE.4.pk

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 basic ways to move their bodies: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing. These early movement skills build the habits that keep kids active as they grow.	IL-PE.1.pk
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to use during active play. Knowing why to stretch, warm up, or pace yourself helps students join in and keep going.	IL-PE.2.pk
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice getting along with others during movement activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and follow the rules of simple games.	IL-PE.3.pk
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.pk

Common Questions

What does Pre-K physical education actually cover?
Most of the year is about building basic movement: running, jumping, hopping, skipping, balancing, and using hands and feet to roll, throw, kick, and catch. Students also practice taking turns, listening to directions during games, and noticing how their bodies feel when they move.
How can I help my child build these skills at home?
Set aside ten minutes a day for active play. Roll a ball back and forth, play tag in the yard, hop across sidewalk squares, or have a dance party in the kitchen. The goal is lots of practice moving in different ways, not drills.
My child seems clumsy compared to other kids. Should I worry?
At this age, motor skills develop on very different timelines. Catching a ball, hopping on one foot, and skipping often look shaky all year and click later. Keep offering chances to practice in low-pressure ways and talk to the teacher if specific skills are not improving by spring.
How should I sequence motor skills across the year?
Start with big locomotor skills like walking, running, and jumping in open space. Layer in non-locomotor work such as balancing, bending, and twisting once students can move safely around each other. Save throwing, catching, and kicking for later in the year when body control is steadier.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Skipping, galloping, and catching a tossed ball are the slowest to develop. Hopping on one foot and balancing on one leg also need repeated practice. Plan to revisit these in short bursts across the year rather than teaching them once and moving on.
What does cooperation look like at this age?
It looks like taking turns with one ball, waiting in a loose line, sharing space without bumping, and using words instead of grabbing. Students are just beginning to play with a partner rather than next to one, so simple two-person games matter more than team games.
How do I know students are ready for kindergarten PE?
By spring, most students can run and stop with control, jump with two feet, balance briefly on one foot, and roll or toss a ball toward a partner. They can also follow a two-step direction in a game and play alongside others without constant reminders about hands and feet.
Does screen-free active time really make a difference?
Yes. Twenty to sixty minutes of active play a day builds the coordination, strength, and stamina that everything else in PE rests on. Walks to the park, backyard play, and trips to the playground all count.