1. Planning Sessions
Karen Vaughan Jones

2. What should we know before
planning activities?
• Experience, previous
• Equipment and space available
• Time and duration of activity
• Expectations
• Participants

3. Think Safety
• Make sure:
• There is a safe playing environment, free from
dangerous obstacles or surfaces
• Equipment is in good condition and suitable for the
children using it.
• You include suitable warm up’s and warm down’s.
• The environment is user friendly for children with a
reduced range of mobility
• and sensory abilities.
• Sensory impaired children have an orientated into the
playing area
• You agree suitable start, finish and emergency signals
for hearing impaired
• children.

4. Think Planning
• Make sure that sessions have been planned
carefully to include all of the children who
attend.
• Prepare all of the equipment you will need and
allow plenty of preparation time before each
session.
• Children will enjoy sessions that are:
• Well prepared
• Well structured
• Challenging

5. Think organisation
• Prevent problems with good
organisation.
• Get help quickly of anything goes wrong
but keep control.
• Children enjoy well structured sessions
where they know what is expected of
them.
• Create a visible area where children go
if they need to rest.

6. Think Responsibility
• Work within your own capabilities and ask for help if necessary.
Be aware of each
• individual child for whom you are responsible and follow the
correct procedures if you
• have any concerns about them. Be careful not to put yourself at
risk.
• • Ensure children know who they can speak if they have a
problem.
• • Encourage children to be responsible for each other as well as
• themselves.
• Think about each session you deliver- How could it have been
better? And
• what might you do differently next time? Think FUN if the
children enjoy
• their first hockey session they will develop good sporting habits
for life.

7. Think Time
• Think about the timings of the
activities
• Think about the time you arrive
• Think how long you spend on each
activity

8. Activity
• Think which questions you might want to
ask yourself before planning any
physical activity session
• Divide the questions to two groups –
checklist and resources

9. Checklist
1. Who’s coming to the session?
2. How many?
3. What ages?
4. Any special needs? - medical, mobility, sensory,
learning needs
5. How many volunteers/ adults?
6. Have you got a suitable adult: child ratio?
7. Does each adult know what their responsibility/ role
will be?
8. Do you have parent/ guardian contact details in case
of emergency?
9. How long will the session last?

10. Resources
1. Is the space indoors or out?
2. Has a risk assessment been done, removing any
dangers?
3. Where is the first aid equipment and who is a
qualified first aider?
4. Are you aware of the emergency procedures for the
venue?
5. If the session is outside, do you have a wet weather
plan?
6. Is there sufficient equipment for the number of
children attending?
7. Have you checked the condition of the equipment?

11. Evaluating the session
Ask the children;
• What have they enjoyed the most?
• What have they learnt?
• What did they not enjoy?
• What would they like to do next time?
Reflect on the session yourself;
• What you thought went well?
• What would you do differently next time?
• What have you learnt form the session, about
the children and your own skills?

12. Finally …
• Body Language
• Remember that you are a role model
• Positive body language is crucial
• Enjoy your sessions!