Jumping Skills

Learn how you can help your students improve their jumping form. Better jumps = more fun!

Stay close to the child as they are learning this skill and reassure them that you will catch them if they fall and that they will not get hurt.

If your child seems to be struggling with the movement pattern of a type of jump, help them perform the movement accurately a few times so that they get used to the way their body feels and then let them try on their own.

You can start by holding them at their hips and pushing weight through their legs and into the ground so their knees bend and then lifting them up and back down - mimicking their jump.

You can then progress to holding their hands for more independence but still providing support. Pull their hands down to cue them to bend their knees and get low and then lift them higher as they blast off. They will progress from here to performing independently.

Jumping with 2 feet together

Stick your feet together like there's glue
Bend your knees
Push your feet into the floor and then blast off

Jumping off an obstacle

Start with jumping off surfaces that are only a couple of inches off the ground
Repeat steps above
Children can be apprehensive or fearful when trying to learn this skill and a shorter fall to the ground won't feel so scary

Jumping over obstacles

Start with obstacles that are short and that the child can easily clear.

Get as close to the object as you can till your toes are almost touching it
Stick your feet together
Push your feet into the ground and bend your knees
Blast off and lean forward

Hopping on one foot

Have the child try this with each leg to see which they are more comfortable with and to keep practicing with that leg. As they progress they should be able to do it on either leg.

Stand on 1 leg like a flamingo
Push the foot that is touching the floor into the ground and bend your knee to get lower
Blast off and land on the same foot again
Remember: only 1 foot should touch the ground!

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