Students in kindergarten through fourth grade continue with additional locomotor skills as an extended part of the warm up. This portion of the warm up a more functional warm up, which also serves as a tool to improve essential locomotor skills that are required for future success in physical activity, sports, and leisure activity.  I call these movements animal walks, as they bring another element of fun and enjoyment to the students. These animal walks are children's way into strength and conditioning. I do not use all of them for grades K-2, however, I do use about 10 to 14 in each and every lesson. Third and fourth graders do all the locomotor skills on their list.

The Idea of Animal Movement:

The idea of animal movements came from observing two cats that I have at home, Bailey, a Siamese, and Lexie, a Bengal. The skills observed within the movements of the cats were the following:

1. Balance

2. Cardiovascular endurance

3. Flexibility

4. Muscular strength

5. Muscular endurance

6. Speed

7. Body composition

In addition, the skills of the cat movements consisted of components observed within the five fitness components.

1. Body composition - refers to the relative amount of muscle, fat, bone, and other vital parts of the body

2. Cardiovascular endurance - the ability of the body's circulatory and respiratory systems to supply fuel during sustained physical activity

3. Flexibility - the range of motion around a joint

4. Muscular strength - the ability of the muscle to exert force during an activity

5. Muscular endurance -  the ability of the muscle to continue to perform without fatigue

The Animal Movements

Grade K - 2

Grade 3 - 4

1. Galloping

2. Skipping

3. Sliding

4. Kangaroo Jumps

5. Flamingo Hops

6. Deer Leaps

7. Crab Walk

8. Seal Walk

9. Elephant Walk

10. Ostrich Walk

11. Gorilla Walk

12. Penguin Walk

13. Frog Walk

14. Monkey Walk

15. Bear Crawl

16. Caterpillar Walk

17. Alligator Walk

18. Desert Snake "The Sidewinder"

19. Cat Leaps

20. Hurt Animal Hobble

21. Tornado Twister

1. Galloping
2. Skipping
3. Sliding
4. Carioca
5. Flamingo Hops
6. Deer Leaps

The benefits of animal walks are:

1. Enhanced fitness

2. Enhanced locomotor skills

3. Promotes development of neuromuscular system

4. Increased self-esteem and self-efficacy

5. Improved body awareness

6. Improved kinesthetic intelligence

7. Decreased number of accidents due to poor body control

8. Fun and enjoyment

9. Promotes long term gains through enjoyment and success, which will result in continued voluntary participation in physical activity