- Definition
Galloping is like a playful run where one foot always leads, and the other quickly catches up, moving you forward or backward. It's a basic movement that helps kids learn balance and control, which they'll use for more complicated activities later on.
Stepping forward with your right foot and then quickly bringing your left foot to meet it is a gallop.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A gallop is like pretending to be a horse, with one foot always leading the way.
Ask your child: How would you gallop from here to the couch?
Common mix-up: Kids might think galloping is just running or skipping. The key to a gallop is that one foot always leads and the other foot chases it.
Examples
- Playing 'cowboys and horses' where everyone gallops around the yard.
- Switching your lead foot so the other one gets a turn to be the leader.
gallop is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
