Games

The games strand fosters the child’s natural tendency to play through informal play activities. It enhances the development of basic skills, and many opportunities are provided for social interaction. As skills develop in accordance with the stage of development of the child, the desire to apply them in informal activities in competition with others increases. Initially this may occur with a partner and then lead into ‘small-sided’ or mini-games. As the child progresses to these more formalised games, a variety of games should be provided that develop not only skills but also understanding of such concepts as possession, teamwork, attack, defence and use of space. If allowed to experiment, the child will invent many games in which to apply developing skills and understanding. Playground games, co-operative games and games traditional to the school or locality should be considered when planning a programme for the school. Gaelic games should be given particular consideration as part of the games programme. Invasion games, net games, striking and fielding games, target games and shared court games provide a range of opportunities for the development of skills and understanding. Small-sided or mini versions of these games encourage maximum participation. A balanced programme of such games ensures that the child experiences a wide variety of activities that provide enjoyment and challenge and that foster a lifelong interest.

Primary School PE Curriculum, page 4.

PDST Games Resources

Other Games Resources

Fundamental movement skills in games

This resource includes warm up activities for games, invasion games, games using cards, cool downs and examples of how to embed FMS skill of dodging in games.

Playground games

Included in this resource are warm up activities for games, invasion games, games using cards, cool downs and examples of how to embed FMS skill of dodging in games.

Ball handling skills

Example activities to develop ball handling skills using beanbags and balls incorporating individual and group activities.

Playground games progressions

Sample progressions for playground games are included in this document as well as descriptions of some playground games.

Games incorporating the development of ball skills

These games incorporate many ball skills from different activities. Games are divided into three different levels of challenge.

120 non contact activities for physical education across the primary school

The PDST Primary PE team has developed non contact activities to support the teaching of Physical Education across the primary school.

Embedding FMS in PE – Move Well Move Often

Move Well Move Often Physical Literacy website with resources which can be used to develop FMS, motivation and confidence as well as knowledge and understanding in all strands of PE.

Embedding FMS in Games – Move Well Move Often

Resource which highlights specific Move Well Move Often skills and activities suitable for games strand

Creating games task card

Sample task cards to support pupils in creating and playing games.

Sample inclusive games lesson

Sample inclusive games lesson with FMS skill of striking with an implement embedded.

Embedding FMS in games – sample lessons

Sample lesson plans highlighting how fundamental movement skills can be embedded in games lessons.

PE Homework – Active Every Day Activity Book and Homework Charts

PE homework activities and charts to complement PE strand based learning undertaken in school. Specific games activities included.

PSSI lesson plans

6 sample games lessons across all primary school class levels.

PE at home

A series of video clips that aim to complement strand based learning in PE at home. 10 games lessons for pupils to complete at home are included.

Beyond the classroom

PE homework videos and activity packs to compliment PE FMS learning undertaken in school.

Move Well Move Often

An Inclusive Approach to the Development of Physical Literacy for All Pupils. This resource is full of strategies for inclusion for pupils with physical disabilities and learning needs and pupils who are autistic, blind or vision impaired, or deaf or hard of hearing.

Cooperative learning

Cooperative learning is an instructional approach which supports pupils to work and learn together in PE. Cooperative learning can be used across any strand of the PE curriculum and has been shown to positively impact PE.

Selected open access resources which may be adapted to the Irish context from other organisations are linked below. Please note these are external resource not designed by the PDST and teachers should ensure they are appropriate for their own classes before use.

Playing for life activity cards

A set of printable cards focusing on games for fun and skills development as well as physical literacy. Variety of invasion, target, net court and strike field games included.

HSE Get Ireland Active – All Games

Resource which includes active ball games, active rhyming games, active running games and active skipping games.

Mini Basketball

A collection of videos created by Basketball Ireland to aid primary teachers with the instruction of mini basketball.

GAA Ceim ar Aghaidh

Teaching resource to assist Primary School Teachers to deliver the Games Strand of the national Physical Educational Curriculum through Gaelic games activities covering Gaelic Football, Hurling/Camogie, Handball and Rounders.

Spreag an Ghaeilge le Spraoi

A collection of resources developed to teach Irish through games and activities.

Move Well New Zealand

This resource contains activities which seek to create learning environments that encourage children to develop personal skills as well as game skills and tactical knowledge. Invasion games, cooperative games, net/wall games, striking and fielding, target games and challenge games are all explored.

Aldi Play Rugby

This resource contains a playlist of fun weekly games and skills to help children learn the FUNdamentals of rugby in a safe, non-contact way.

Disentangling Inclusion in Primary Physical Education (DIPPE)

This online resource highlights practices, strategies and resources to support teachers to include all children in primary PE lessons, with a focus on children with additional needs. Gross/Fine motor skills, sensory, communication, physical capabilities, attention/concentration and social, emotional, relational are some of the areas explored.