Ball skills help children with:

• coordination
• balance
• strength
• hand-eye coordination
• confidence

Some children need more time and practice to develop these skills. Keep activities fun. Start with simple tasks. Always finish on a positive note.

Activity ideas

Throwing to a target

• roll into a goal: Roll a ball into a large goal. As your child improves, make the goal smaller
• skittles: Roll a ball to knock down skittles. Start close and use a large ball, then gradually increase the distance or use a smaller ball
• sock balls or bean bags: Throw into a hoop, bucket, laundry basket or box. Make it harder by increasing the distance or using smaller targets
• hoop throws: Hold a hoop and encourage your child to throw a bean bag or ball through it

Catching skills

• throw and catch: Toss a bean bag or soft ball into the air and catch it with two hands
• bounce and catch: Bounce a large ball and catch it. Use a smaller ball as skills improve
• kneeling catch: Kneel facing your child and throw a ball for them to catch. This encourages reaching and balance
• wall catch: Throw a ball against a wall and catch it as it rebounds
• challenge games: Try catching after a clap or catching with one hand

Football skills

• kicking practice: Kick a stationary ball into a goal. Practise with both feet
• penalty shots: Kick a ball towards a target. Make the target smaller as your child improves
• dribbling: Gently tap the ball from one foot to the other while keeping it under control
• obstacle course: Dribble the ball around cones, toys or other objects

Tips for success

• start with activities where either the child or the ball is stationary
• use balloons, scarves or bubbles before moving on to balls. They will move more slowly
• begin with large, soft balls then move on to smaller balls
• start with large targets and gradually make them smaller
• reduce the distance at first and increase it as your child's confidence grows
• begin with slow-moving balls before increasing speed
• keep practice short, fun and varied
• praise effort and celebrate small successes

Remember

Children learn ball skills through regular practice and play. Every child develops at their own pace, so focus on enjoyment, confidence and progress rather than perfection,