Gross motor development
A young infant touches a ball with his/her feet.
Greet an infant who is alert and ready for some activity. Position the infant on his/her back on a carpet or mat. Sit on the floor facing the infant. Talk with the infant in a cheerful manner and pause for him/her to react by moving or looking.
Hold the cloth ball for the infant to see. Explain the infant is looking at a ball. Then touch the ball against the bottom of the infant’s feet. Hold the ball steady in one place where the infant can reach it with both feet. The infant may push against the ball with both feet, stretching one or both of his/her legs. If the infant begins to kick the ball, encourage him/her by smiling and describing his/her kicking.
Bring the activity to a close after a minute or when the infant signals a need for change by looking away or fussing. Hold the infant in his/her preferred position. Sometimes infants prefer a holding position that allows looking outward.
Talking about the infant’s foot contact with the ball can be a valuable part of this activity. Even though the infant does not understand specific words, he/she will develop an awareness that his/her actions can elicit talking. The infant may also feel a sense of security hearing you speak in a warm and friendly manner.
A nonmobile infant may shift focus from touching or pushing the ball with his/her feet to looking at you. If the infant shows no interest in touching the ball (or your hand) with his/her feet, sit with the infant well supported to show and talk with him/her about the ball. Short periods of play may last less than one minute. Infants are never expected to throw or kick a ball.
Extra support
Enrichment
Gross motor development
An older infant explores rolling and catching a ball with a caregiver.
Be Prepared: This activity is designed for an infant who is able to sit unsupported with good balance.
[Invite an infant to sit on the floor close to and across from you. Place the ball in the infant’s two hands.]
Here is a ball for you to hold with two hands. We can roll our ball!
[Wait for the infant to explore the ball independently. Describe the infant’s responses to the ball. Example: “I see you are moving the ball! It looks like you want to push the ball.”]
Do you want to play a game with me?
[Hold your hands out toward the infant and encourage him/her to hand the ball to you. Next, gently roll the ball toward the infant.
Describe each key action with the ball. Examples: “I push the ball. It rolls to you.” “Great, you got the ball!” Encourage the infant to push the ball forward. Use your hands to demonstrate the motion as you say “push the ball.”
Encourage the infant to complete two exchanges of the ball with you by making the game lively and fun.]
[Describe what happened. Example: “We rolled the ball! You pushed the ball to me. You used two hands to get the ball.”]
Infants will differ in their experiences with a ball. Some may associate holding the ball with throwing the ball. The activity plan emphasizes rolling (pushing) the ball, not throwing. Pay close attention to the different sets of emerging skills involved in holding, pushing/rolling, and catching a ball. Catching and pushing (rolling) skills do not always develop at the same time. Catching a ball involves watching and anticipating when the ball is close enough to touch or grab. Pushing a ball is easier to do with both hands than with one hand. Eye-hand coordination is involved in each action. You may wish to make accommodations, such as moving closer to the infant, that provide challenging yet achievable tasks for the infant. Promote the use of both hands, beginning with the presentation of the ball as suggested in the opening segment of the activity. The activity is intended to offer exploratory experiences with a ball, not formal instruction in rolling and catching.
Extra support
Enrichment
Gross motor development
Older infants practice rolling and catching a ball in a small gathering.
Invite 2–3 mobile infants to sit on the floor with you. Welcome each infant by name. Roll the beach ball toward one of the infants. Use a repetitive phrase with the rolling action, such as “I roll the ball to (child’s name).” Encourage the infant to push the ball toward you. Say your repetitive phrase for the infant’s action, such as “(child’s name) rolls the ball to me.” Get the ball and roll it to the next infant while saying your repetitive phrase. You may wish to demonstrate how to push the ball with both hands. Infants are not expected to remember what to do with the ball when it reaches them. Provide gentle clues throughout the activity. The enjoyment is pushing the ball and watching it roll while interacting with you.
You will notice the infants using one hand or both hands to push the ball.
A beach ball is used in this activity because it is lightweight and will roll slowly, giving an infant a moment to prepare to touch or catch the ball with both arms or hands. Your repetitive phrase also provides a friendly notice that a ball is on its way. Emphasize the concepts of “push” and “roll.” The game has a back-and-forth pattern similar to conversation. If the activity is not working because an infant(s) wants to hold the ball, use a second ball with the infant(s) who is interested in pushing and catching the ball you roll. Positively acknowledge an infant’s preference for holding and looking at a ball. If an infant prefers to stand, encourage him/her to bend to use his hands for pushing and catching the ball. No kicking or use of legs/feet with the ball should be allowed.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: balls of various sizes, laundry basket
Nonmobile infants will enjoy holding small balls when supported in a sitting position on your lap. Position nonmobile infants so they can see one another. Arrange a few balls of different sizes on the floor near nonmobile infants for them to see.
Place balls made for infants in easy-to-reach places for early mobile infants. Balls made for youth or adult sports are not appropriate for infants because they are too hard and heavy.
Encourage mobile infants to drop a ball into a laundry basket. A few minutes of exciting ball play will be fun for infants. Bring the ball play to a close by using a quieter voice and asking the infants to put their balls into the bag.
Materials Needed: lightweight balls
Toddlers may enjoy participating in Option 3 with older infants. School-age children will enjoy practicing toss and catch with smaller balls that are soft on their hands. Preschool-age children will enjoy playing with balls that are easy to hold and manipulate, but they should not be expected to manage a game of catch on their own.
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