capture
Catching the ball is a skill that requires hand-eye coordination, motor planning, balance, vision and depth perception. It’s also a useful skill for kids, encouraging them to play with each other, take turns, and peer imitation!
capture milestones
Catch bowling ball (sitting in playpen and rolling ball with arms and/or hands without losing balance): 6-13 months
Catch ball from 5 feet (child extends arms directly in front, palms up or facing each other; tries to hold ball by bending arms to chest): 20-30 months
To catch the ball from 5 feet (hands and arms outstretched): 30-40 months
Catch from 5 feet (catch with arms bent 45-90 degrees, elbows up or palms up or facing each other): 40-50 months
Catch from 5 feet (hands only on 2 of 3 trajectories): 50-60 months
Catching a bouncing tennis ball (bouncing and catching the ball in 2 out of 3 trials): 62-72 months
Teach your child to catch
big ball rolling
similar to our preparation to throw, scrolling is a great first step! Encourage your child to sit with their legs spread out. Roll the ball towards them, giving the child a chance to grab the ball with their hands. Scrolling provides opportunities to practice visual tracking, cause and effect, and hand-eye coordination.use a big therapy ball Bigger visual targets and more hand and body input! 
We can improve with smaller balls.this ball Great because it offers an easy-to-grip option. Balls that add a sensory component (visual, auditory, tactile) are also great motivators.
hand eye coordination exercises
Start with slow moving objects such as balloon, allowing children to visually track and follow. As children begin to comfortably track the balloon and anticipate its movement, they need time to prepare their body and upper limbs to catch and secure the balloon to their body. Once the child has grasped the concept, we can pass the balloon back and forth to increase the speed of its trajectory and further challenge hand-eye coordination.
add one net For some balloon volleyball!
easy to catch
ball offer easy grab option Great when practicing catch. Little hands will be able to throw and catch this ball with ease!
Velcro assist
capture with velcro paddle Provides children with the opportunity to practice the motion of catching a ball without the finer coordination required to maneuver a ball with their hands. Initially we stood close and threw the ball directly to the child’s paddle, which would stick to the velcro as the child learned the cause and effect of catching the ball. We can begin to encourage the child to move the body or upper limbs towards the moving object.
Cone snapping
The colored cones are great for practicing the hand-eye coordination needed to catch the ball. The cones offer the option of two-handed or one-handed operation as children gain strength and confidence in their catching skills.this pop n’ catch game Also a fun option for developing the hand-eye coordination and motor planning needed to catch a ball!
For more ball trick fun, check out teach children to throw!
learn more about dinosaur physiotherapy!
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