Where Can You Kick It?

Materials You Need: One or more balls (if you do not have the balls, you can make them from crumpled paper or rolled-up socks); A cardboard box larger than the balls; Other targets at which your child can kick a ball (for example, a stick laid down on the ground)

What You Can Do Together: Invite your child to play a game: “Can you kick your ball?  Good!  Now let’s try something harder.  Can you stand here and kick the ball into that box?  (box turned on its side with the open end toward the child). Just use your feet, not your hands. Try again, it’s not easy!  Maybe you can stand closer.” Your suggestions depend on your child’s skill and interest.  You can make it more challenging: “Now let’s try something different. Can you stand here and kick the ball so that it goes all the way to that stick? Wow, that is good kicking!”

What Your Child is Learning: Now your child is developing more advanced physical skills. This and similar activities help your child learn to control her or his movements. Your child is also developing her or his thinking ability, as your child plans how hard to kick the ball, or what angle will be best so that the ball ends up in the box.