How do I help my child catch a ball?

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Ball catching skills typically develop around the age of 2 to 5 years old and ranges depending on the size of the ball. Catching a ball is a fun milestone for parents and infants to look forward to. It is a physical milestone that allows skills to be developed and games to be played. As this is a skill that can lead to sport, it is common for parents to get competitive about when their child started catching, but there is no need to be overwhelmed. This blog will outline the different milestones of catching a ball, how to increase your child’s coordination and how to make it fun.

What age does a child start catching?

Once a child develops the ability to sit upright by themselves, and is able to maintain this position with some perturbations, typically around the 6 months mark, they might start to play with balls. This may be rolling the ball, pushing it to someone or receiving it from being pushed. A child’s hand eye coordination and visual tracking will begin to develop during this time. By the age of 2, children may start to develop the ability to catch a larger ball, from a small distance and a soft throw. They might hug the ball to their chest to catch it, but this is the first step. As they get older and start approaching 4 to 5 years old, they should start to be able to catch a tennis ball with outstretched hands. Fully developed catching can be expected between the age of 6-9. It is important to remember that children develop at different rates and there can sometimes be differences in their peers’ abilities.

Catching Criteria

Eyes focused on the ball.
Moving feet to be in line with the ball.
Moving hands to the object.
‘Butterfly’ or ‘W’ hands to cup and grasp the object.
Catch and control.
Bend at the elbows to control and take the force of the ball.

Things I can do to prepare my child for catching

Start rolling a ball along the floor.
Use an upside down bucket or cone to catch, so that they have a larger area to catch the ball in.
Use soft balls or bean bags to help with grasping.
Use a larger ball before moving down to smaller balls. Making sure they are not trapping the ball against their chest.
Using different size balls can help develop their coordination.

How might this affect my child?

A child not being able to catch a ball can have a range of different effects, both physically and emotionally. While the impact will vary depending on the child’s developmental stage and age, there are some minor areas for concern. Catching a ball requires coordination, timing, and fine motor skills. If your child is struggling with this skill, it may indicate or contribute to motor developmental delays. These delays can have effects on other physical activities, like throwing, kicking, or even tasks like writing.

It could have an impact on fitness. Catching a ball is often one of the foundational skills for sport, recreational activities and socialising. Difficulty with this skill can make it challenging for a child to participate in games like catch, basketball, or even playground activities. This may limit their opportunities for physical exercise, which is crucial for maintaining overall health and fitness.

Ball games and sports are a common place for children to interact with their peers in a social setting. If your child struggles to catch a ball, they might find it hard to join in with their peers, leading to feelings of exclusion or embarrassment. Over time, this could affect their social interactions and friendships, potentially leading to social withdrawal or low self-esteem.

Who do I see if I have concerns?

If a child consistently struggles with catching or other motor skills, it could be an early indicator of underlying developmental issues, such as dyspraxia or other motor coordination disorders. Early identification and intervention are key to helping the child overcome these challenges and avoid further complications. At Strong and Courageous Kids, we support families to better understand a child’s strengths and provide effective evidence-based interventions to support a child’s development. Our therapists are specially qualified to help identify reasons as to why a child is struggling to catch and address it through modalities such as exercise based training, games, coordination training, interactive play and much more.