Catch – Get Out & Play!
Ages 0–1: Grasping balls, stuffed animals or other objects helps your baby develop hand-eye coordination, and crawling develops muscles in her arms and hands that will help her become a great catcher later. Try placing her on her stomach on a blanket, then put an interesting object just beyond her reach and watch her go!
Ages 1–3: Children are not usually ready to catch a ball before age 3. But rolling, pushing or holding a ball will help him prepare. Try rolling a large ball to your toddler for him to “catch” with his arms and body. As his coordination develops, stand about five feet apart for a game of “catch and toss” with a smaller ball.
Ages 4–5: Most preschoolers are developmentally able to catch with their hands, and can enhance catching skills by using balloons in a variety of fun games. Have your child bounce a balloon on the ground or against a wall and see if he can catch it. Try throwing it in the air and see how many times you can clap before he catches it.
