What will students actually do in P.E. this year?

Students practice basic moves like running, hopping, skipping, balancing on one foot, and tossing or catching a ball. They learn to play and move in a shared space without bumping into others. Most of the year is about building comfort and confidence with their bodies.

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

Ten minutes of active play does the job. Roll a ball back and forth, play tag in the yard, hop on one foot to the mailbox, or have a freeze dance in the kitchen. The goal is regular movement, not drills.

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

At this age, skills vary a lot from one student to the next. Some catch a ball easily and some still drop it most of the time, and both are normal. Keep offering chances to practice and the coordination usually catches up.

What does the end of the year look like for a student who is ready for first grade?

By spring, students can run, jump, hop, and skip with reasonable control. They can toss a ball underhand, catch a large ball most of the time, and follow simple movement directions in a group. They also know how to take turns and share equipment.

How should I sequence motor skills across the year?

Start with locomotor skills like walking, running, and jumping so students learn to move safely in shared space. Add balancing and other non-locomotor work next, then bring in throwing, catching, and kicking once spatial awareness is solid. Revisit everything in short cycles instead of teaching each skill once.

Which skills usually need the most reteaching?

Skipping, galloping, and catching tend to lag behind running and jumping. Underhand throwing with the opposite foot forward also takes repeated practice. Build short warm-ups around these skills all year rather than saving them for one unit.

What if my child says they hate P.E. or feel left out?

Ask what part feels hard, whether it is a specific skill, the noise, or playing with a certain group. Practice that one piece at home in a low-pressure way, like tossing a rolled-up sock back and forth. A quick note to the teacher also helps.

Does my child need to learn the names of sports or rules of games?

Not yet. Kindergarten P.E. is about moving well and playing fairly with others, not about sports. Knowing how to share equipment, listen for the start and stop signal, and try again after a miss matters more than knowing any game.

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year movement becomes a skill students practice on purpose. Students learn to run, hop, skip, throw, catch, and balance with more control, and they start to notice how their body feels when they are active. They also practice sharing space, taking turns, and following directions during games. By spring, students can move safely around a gym, play a simple group game without bumping into others, and name one reason being active feels good.

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

Source: Vermont Common Core State 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 the gym
Students learn how to move around a shared space without bumping into anyone. They practice starting, stopping, and listening for signals so the class can play together.
2
Running, hopping, and skipping
Students practice the basic ways the body travels. Parents may notice steadier balance and more confident running, jumping, and galloping at the park.
3
Throwing, catching, and kicking
Students try out the building blocks of most sports and games. They roll, toss, catch, and kick with hands and feet using soft balls and beanbags.
4
Playing well with classmates
Students learn how to take turns, follow simple game rules, and cheer each other on. Working with a partner becomes as much a part of class as the running and jumping.
5
Building active habits
Students notice how their heart beats faster and their body feels warm after they move. They start to name activities they enjoy and want to do outside of school.

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

VT-PE.1.k

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways, like running, jumping, balancing, and throwing. These early movement skills build the habits that keep kids active as they grow.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

VT-PE.2.k

Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then use those ideas while they play and exercise. Think of it as building the "why" behind running, jumping, and staying active.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

VT-PE.3.k

Students practice taking turns, sharing space, and working with classmates during movement activities. They learn to follow rules, listen to others, and behave responsibly in a group.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

VT-PE.4.k

Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel. The goal is building a simple habit of choosing to move, not just in school but over a lifetime.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice moving their bodies in different ways, like running, jumping, balancing, and throwing. These early movement skills build the habits that keep kids active as they grow.	VT-PE.1.k
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then use those ideas while they play and exercise. Think of it as building the "why" behind running, jumping, and staying active.	VT-PE.2.k
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice taking turns, sharing space, and working with classmates during movement activities. They learn to follow rules, listen to others, and behave responsibly in a group.	VT-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. The goal is building a simple habit of choosing to move, not just in school but over a lifetime.	VT-PE.4.k

Physical Education

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

VT-PE.1.k

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways, like running, jumping, balancing, and throwing. These early movement skills build the habits that keep kids active as they grow.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

VT-PE.2.k

Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then use those ideas while they play and exercise. Think of it as building the "why" behind running, jumping, and staying active.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

VT-PE.3.k

Students practice taking turns, sharing space, and working with classmates during movement activities. They learn to follow rules, listen to others, and behave responsibly in a group.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

VT-PE.4.k

Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel. The goal is building a simple habit of choosing to move, not just in school but over a lifetime.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice moving their bodies in different ways, like running, jumping, balancing, and throwing. These early movement skills build the habits that keep kids active as they grow.	VT-PE.1.k
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then use those ideas while they play and exercise. Think of it as building the "why" behind running, jumping, and staying active.	VT-PE.2.k
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice taking turns, sharing space, and working with classmates during movement activities. They learn to follow rules, listen to others, and behave responsibly in a group.	VT-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. The goal is building a simple habit of choosing to move, not just in school but over a lifetime.	VT-PE.4.k

Common Questions

What will students actually do in P.E. this year?
Students practice basic moves like running, hopping, skipping, balancing on one foot, and tossing or catching a ball. They learn to play and move in a shared space without bumping into others. Most of the year is about building comfort and confidence with their bodies.
How can I help my child build these skills at home?
Ten minutes of active play does the job. Roll a ball back and forth, play tag in the yard, hop on one foot to the mailbox, or have a freeze dance in the kitchen. The goal is regular movement, not drills.
My child seems clumsy compared to other kids. Should I worry?
At this age, skills vary a lot from one student to the next. Some catch a ball easily and some still drop it most of the time, and both are normal. Keep offering chances to practice and the coordination usually catches up.
What does the end of the year look like for a student who is ready for first grade?
By spring, students can run, jump, hop, and skip with reasonable control. They can toss a ball underhand, catch a large ball most of the time, and follow simple movement directions in a group. They also know how to take turns and share equipment.
How should I sequence motor skills across the year?
Start with locomotor skills like walking, running, and jumping so students learn to move safely in shared space. Add balancing and other non-locomotor work next, then bring in throwing, catching, and kicking once spatial awareness is solid. Revisit everything in short cycles instead of teaching each skill once.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Skipping, galloping, and catching tend to lag behind running and jumping. Underhand throwing with the opposite foot forward also takes repeated practice. Build short warm-ups around these skills all year rather than saving them for one unit.
What if my child says they hate P.E. or feel left out?
Ask what part feels hard, whether it is a specific skill, the noise, or playing with a certain group. Practice that one piece at home in a low-pressure way, like tossing a rolled-up sock back and forth. A quick note to the teacher also helps.
Does my child need to learn the names of sports or rules of games?
Not yet. Kindergarten P.E. is about moving well and playing fairly with others, not about sports. Knowing how to share equipment, listen for the start and stop signal, and try again after a miss matters more than knowing any game.