Motor Control
Primary 4 · Physical Education
Motor Control
Lesson 1 of 3
20 min
Let's begin
Keza used to sit under the tree at break while her friends played. One day Mutesi pulled her into a skipping game. Keza skipped every day for a whole term.
Now Keza climbs the hill to school without stopping to rest. What changed inside her body? In this lesson you will find out why moving is so good for you.
Physical activity is any movement that makes your body work. Walking to school, fetching water, digging in the garden, dancing and playing football are all physical activity.
Exercise is activity you do again and again to make your body stronger or better at something. Sport is exercise played as a game with rules, like football, volleyball or athletics.
| Kind | What it does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Stamina | Makes your heart and lungs strong, so you can keep going for a long time | Running, skipping, dancing, swimming |
| Strength | Makes your muscles strong | Climbing, frog jumps, push-ups against a wall |
| Flexibility | Helps your body bend and stretch | Stretching, gymnastics, reaching for your toes |
Health experts say children should be active for about 60 minutes (one hour) every day. You do not have to do it all at once. You can add it up during the day.
Tip
Think "20 + 20 + 20". Walk for 20 minutes, play for 20 minutes, help or dance at home for 20 minutes, and you have moved for a whole hour.
Think about each one first, then tap Show answer to check.
Name two ways moving helps your body.
Answer: Any two of these: it makes your heart and lungs strong, makes your muscles and bones strong, helps you bend easily, helps you sleep better and feel happier.
Ishimwe walks 15 minutes to school and 15 minutes home. She plays for 20 minutes at break. How many minutes is she active? Is that enough?
Answer: 15 + 15 + 20 = 50 minutes. She needs 10 more minutes to reach 60.
Is skipping mainly a stamina, strength or flexibility exercise?
Answer: Stamina. Skipping makes your heart and lungs work hard. It also makes your legs and bones stronger.
Why should you drink water when you exercise?
Answer: You lose water when you sweat. Drinking puts the water back so you do not feel weak or dizzy.
Do it: for one day, write down every time you are active and for how many minutes. Add them up.
Answer: Your own list. If your total is less than 60 minutes, choose one more activity for tomorrow, like skipping or a game of ubute (tag).
What you learned today
Sources and credits
The story, the one-hour chart, the explanations and the practice were written by Ganzaa.
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Quick check
Match each kind of exercise to what it does.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
