What does kindergarten PE actually look like?

It's mostly active play with a purpose. Students practice running, hopping, skipping, jumping, balancing, throwing, catching, and kicking. They also learn how to share space safely, follow simple directions, and take turns with classmates.

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

Play outside for 20 to 30 minutes a day. Roll a ball back and forth, toss bean bags into a laundry basket, hop on one foot, or have a short dance party. Short bursts of movement matter more than fancy equipment.

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

Probably not. Five and six year olds develop coordination at very different rates. Give plenty of low-pressure practice with simple things like catching a soft ball, walking along a curb, or pedaling a bike, and most skills come together with time.

How should I sequence skills across the year?

Start with body awareness, personal space, and basic locomotor skills like walking, running, and hopping. Move into balance and non-locomotor skills next, then add manipulative skills with hands and feet. Save partner and small-group games for later in the year once routines are solid.

Which skills usually need the most reteaching?

Skipping, galloping, and catching a tossed ball tend to lag behind running and jumping. Underhand throwing with an opposite-foot step also needs steady practice. Build short skill stations into warm-ups so students get repeated tries without long waits in line.

How do I handle students who don't want to participate?

Offer choice within the activity, like picking a partner, a piece of equipment, or a starting spot. Keep groups small and lines short so no one stands around waiting. Praise effort and improvement rather than who finished first.

What counts as ready for first grade PE?

Students can move safely in a shared space, follow two-step directions, and try most basic skills without giving up. They can throw, catch a large ball, kick a still ball, and play simple games with classmates while taking turns and following rules.

Does screen-time exercise count?

Follow-along videos are fine on rainy days and better than sitting still. Real practice with a ball, a jump rope, or a playground gives students more feedback about how their body moves. Aim for active play with other people most days.

What does a student learn in ?

Kindergarten is the year students learn to move their bodies on purpose. They practice running, skipping, jumping, throwing, and catching, and they learn to start and stop when the teacher says so. Students also begin sharing space and equipment with classmates without bumping or grabbing. By spring, a child can play a simple group game, follow the rules, and explain why moving around feels good.

Running and jumping
Throwing and catching
Following directions
Playing with others
Healthy habits

Source: Texas Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

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 the gym
Students learn how to move around the gym without bumping into others. They practice starting, stopping, and listening for directions so the whole class can play together.
2
Running, jumping, and hopping
Students try out the basic ways the body travels. They run, jump, hop, skip, and gallop, and start to notice which moves feel steady and which still feel wobbly.
3
Throwing, catching, and kicking
Students practice handling balls and beanbags. They roll, toss, catch, and kick toward targets, and start to get a feel for aiming and using both hands.
4
Playing and getting along
Students play simple group games with partners and small teams. They take turns, share equipment, cheer each other on, and work through small disagreements without quitting the game.
5
Healthy bodies and active habits
Students notice what active play does to the body, like a faster heartbeat and warmer skin. They learn why moving every day matters and pick activities they enjoy.

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

TX-PE.1.k

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, balancing, and throwing or catching objects. These are the basic physical skills kids build on for years of gym class, sports, and play.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

TX-PE.2.k

Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to use during physical activity. Knowing why to move a certain way helps students do it better.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

TX-PE.3.k

Students practice taking turns, listening to classmates, and following rules during movement activities. These habits build the basic social skills they use in the gym and beyond.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

TX-PE.4.k

Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel good. The goal is to help them build habits that keep them moving 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, balancing, and throwing or catching objects. These are the basic physical skills kids build on for years of gym class, sports, and play.	TX-PE.1.k
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 physical activity. Knowing why to move a certain way helps students do it better.	TX-PE.2.k
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice taking turns, listening to classmates, and following rules during movement activities. These habits build the basic social skills they use in the gym and beyond.	TX-PE.3.k
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel good. The goal is to help them build habits that keep them moving for life.	TX-PE.4.k

Physical Education

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

TX-PE.1.k

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, balancing, and throwing or catching objects. These are the basic physical skills kids build on for years of gym class, sports, and play.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

TX-PE.2.k

Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to use during physical activity. Knowing why to move a certain way helps students do it better.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

TX-PE.3.k

Students practice taking turns, listening to classmates, and following rules during movement activities. These habits build the basic social skills they use in the gym and beyond.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

TX-PE.4.k

Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel good. The goal is to help them build habits that keep them moving 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, balancing, and throwing or catching objects. These are the basic physical skills kids build on for years of gym class, sports, and play.	TX-PE.1.k
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 physical activity. Knowing why to move a certain way helps students do it better.	TX-PE.2.k
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice taking turns, listening to classmates, and following rules during movement activities. These habits build the basic social skills they use in the gym and beyond.	TX-PE.3.k
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel good. The goal is to help them build habits that keep them moving for life.	TX-PE.4.k

Common Questions

What does kindergarten PE actually look like?
It's mostly active play with a purpose. Students practice running, hopping, skipping, jumping, balancing, throwing, catching, and kicking. They also learn how to share space safely, follow simple directions, and take turns with classmates.
How can I help my child build these skills at home?
Play outside for 20 to 30 minutes a day. Roll a ball back and forth, toss bean bags into a laundry basket, hop on one foot, or have a short dance party. Short bursts of movement matter more than fancy equipment.
My child seems clumsy compared to other kids. Should I worry?
Probably not. Five and six year olds develop coordination at very different rates. Give plenty of low-pressure practice with simple things like catching a soft ball, walking along a curb, or pedaling a bike, and most skills come together with time.
How should I sequence skills across the year?
Start with body awareness, personal space, and basic locomotor skills like walking, running, and hopping. Move into balance and non-locomotor skills next, then add manipulative skills with hands and feet. Save partner and small-group games for later in the year once routines are solid.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Skipping, galloping, and catching a tossed ball tend to lag behind running and jumping. Underhand throwing with an opposite-foot step also needs steady practice. Build short skill stations into warm-ups so students get repeated tries without long waits in line.
How do I handle students who don't want to participate?
Offer choice within the activity, like picking a partner, a piece of equipment, or a starting spot. Keep groups small and lines short so no one stands around waiting. Praise effort and improvement rather than who finished first.
What counts as ready for first grade PE?
Students can move safely in a shared space, follow two-step directions, and try most basic skills without giving up. They can throw, catch a large ball, kick a still ball, and play simple games with classmates while taking turns and following rules.
Does screen-time exercise count?
Follow-along videos are fine on rainy days and better than sitting still. Real practice with a ball, a jump rope, or a playground gives students more feedback about how their body moves. Aim for active play with other people most days.