Exercise

Non-Locomotor Movements: Bending, Twisting and Stretching

By Dave Joisil (Mr. J) · Certified Health and Physical Education teacher

Updated

Explore movements in place with bending, turning and swaying examples, comfortable-range choices, and an original shape-and-action card set for PE.

Non-locomotor movements change the body's shape or position without traveling to a new place. Examples include bending, stretching, twisting, swaying, and balancing. A child bending their elbows at a personal spot is moving even though they have not crossed the room.

Use this guide to teach actions in place, not a flexibility workout or rehabilitation routine. Choose a clear, stable surface and leave enough room for each learner's comfortable reach. Model a small movement first. Children may reduce the range, change the action, rest, or stop; pain is not a stretching target.

Three differences to demonstrate

Bending reduces the angle at a joint: bend an elbow and straighten it again. Stretching in this lesson means comfortably lengthening the body's shape, such as reaching one hand forward, not pulling a joint to its limit. Twisting turns part of the body relative to another part; demonstrate a small, comfortable upper-body turn without forcing the neck.

Swaying shifts the body gently from side to side while remaining at the same spot. Turning can mean changing the direction the whole body faces. Vocabulary varies across curricula, so name the exact action you want rather than accepting a guessed imitation of the word.

Shape studio: a short teaching sequence

Give everyone a home spot with room around it. Show a bent-arm shape, then a long-arm shape at a comfortable height. Ask children to choose one, demonstrate or describe it, and return to a relaxed position. Add a sway only after learners can remain within their own space.

Next, invite a two-action sequence: bend, then reach; sway, then become still. The adult calls or displays the two cards slowly and leaves time to reset. A partner can name the actions from another spot, but should never push, pull, or arrange the mover's body.

Copy-and-print: Shape studio action cards

  • BEND: make a comfortable elbow bend. Draw a bent line here: ______.
  • REACH: lengthen one arm forward within your space. Draw an arrow here: ______.
  • TURN: change the way you face, slowly and comfortably. My agreed version: ______.
  • SWAY: shift gently side to side without leaving your place. My boundary: ______.
  • STILL: return to a supported, comfortable position. My rest choice: ______.
  • Make a pair: first ______, then ______. What changed: shape / facing / both?

Read these cards aloud and add meaningful pictures or agreed tactile symbols. The printed words alone are not an accessible cue for every child. Check the chosen movement with the learner rather than assuming an overhead reach or trunk turn is suitable.

When the task goes off course

If children start walking around, return to one card and point out the home spot. If everyone reaches into a neighbor's area, make the action smaller or increase spacing before continuing. Remove imitation challenges that encourage extreme positions, fast neck circles, or competitive stretching.

For a seated participant, offer an individually suitable arm shape or other planned action with stable support. Do not reposition mobility equipment or change prescribed supports. Follow individual plans and ask the relevant specialist when the movement choice is uncertain.

Connect the idea, not another full tutorial

The locomotor lesson map adds a travel-or-stay sorting task. For a separate base-of-support lesson, use stable-surface balance stations. No dedicated non-locomotor demonstration video is supplied here.

The examples and movement-concept vocabulary draw on Howard County kindergarten PE curriculum; the shape studio and cards are original suggested activities, not tested treatment or an age-norm assessment.