Preschooler Playtime with a Ball
Learning what your child likes and dislikes is an important part of your relationship. Your child might like soccer or basketball. Or they might like making up their own games. They also might like different things than you. Try to find something you both like playing together.
- Audience
- Caregiver
- Subject
- Open-Ended Play
- Age
- Pre-KPreschool
- Languages
- EnglishHaitian CreoleSpanish
Play is a natural way to support the parent-child bond. Try engaging your preschooler in playtime with a ball!
Get ready
Clear some space on the floor or go outside. Have your child help you move anything that might break or get in the way. Roll a ball to your child and say, “Let’s play ball!”
Try this!
Roll, toss, and kick
Try out balls of different sizes and shapes to see how each one moves. Which ball goes the shortest distance? Which is best for rolling? Which is better for kicking? Ask questions like, “Which ball do you think will go farthest?” Then test it out together.
Catch and count
Play catch with your child. How many times can you toss or kick the ball back and forth without missing it? “Let’s count together.” It may be zero times or 10 times—it doesn’t matter! Laugh when you make mistakes and do it for fun.
Balls and ramps
Lean something flat against a chair or the side of a bed to make a ramp. Try a large book, a piece of cardboard, or a baking sheet. Say, “Can you roll a ball down the ramp?” Change the height of the ramp. What do you and your child notice?
Safety tip!You can do any of these activities outside. Just be sure to find a safe place where the balls cannot roll into the road.
While you play...
Watch carefully. Your child likes to do different things at different times. Let them show you how they want to play. Do they want to test things out, like experimenting with balls and ramps? Or are they ready for a game with rules?
Practice together. Kicking, tossing, and catching take a lot of practice. If your child gets upset when they miss, help them find a way to manage their feelings. “It’s okay to be mad. Take a deep breath. Let’s try again.”
Say, “Yay!” Is your child really focused on what they are trying to do? That is something to be proud of! Encourage them by saying, “I like the way you keep trying to make the ramp work.”
Related Resources
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