GM.D.74 THROWS A BALL WHEN SITTING, ANY MANNER

Perhaps you have already been playing ball with your child, as a turn-taking activity (as in (PS.A.23). For this purpose, a push of the ball was sufficient. Now she can learn to throw the ball as you play these games together.

Throwing the ball, at this level, involves a deliberate letting go. She is not yet expected to control the direction or velocity of the ball.

How to Assess

Materials: A small, light rubber ball that your child can easily hold in one hand.

Method: Get a ball game going, while the two of you sit facing each other on the floor. If necessary, help her to throw the ball the first 2 or 3 times (or get someone else to sit behind her and help her). Then encourage her to throw it herself. Score plus if your child is able to take her arm back and release the ball on the forward arm swing causing the ball to roll forward. She may take her arm back sideways underarm or overarm.

How to Teach

Start by giving lots of demonstrations, plus praise for successful attempts. If necessary, take her arm back for her, underhand, and then swing it forward, saying ‘Throw the ball’. You may also need to help her to release the ball. This is not easy, so continue to give plenty of demonstrations as well. This skill is easier to teach if 2 people are involved – one sitting in front of your child to demonstrate and encourage, and the other sitting behind to give physical help.

Once your child is standing alone with confidence, teach her to throw while standing as well as sitting. Perhaps you could throw the ball gently back to her feet, so that she can practise stooping to the floor and recovering (GM.B.77)