Throw a large ball toward your preschooler.
Do they catch it—or does it bounce off their arms?
Catching develops through practice and coordination.
What is common around age four?
According to the CDC, catching a large ball most of the time is one of the movement milestones many children demonstrate by four years.
That doesn’t mean every catch needs to be perfect.
Make practice playful
Try:
Start close
Stand only a short distance away.
Use a large soft ball
Large balls are easier for beginners to track and catch.
Roll before throwing
Rolling a ball back and forth helps children learn direction and turn-taking.
Make a simple target
Ask your child to throw a ball into a basket.
Gradually increase the distance as their confidence improves.
Movement isn’t just sport
Ball play also gives children opportunities to practice:
Hand-eye coordination.
Balance.
Timing.
Taking turns.
Following simple rules.
Avoid comparing your child’s coordination with another child’s.
If you notice broader difficulties with movement, balance or everyday physical tasks, discuss them with your paediatrician.
💚 Earlyhood Parent Tip
Don’t turn ball skills into training.
Ten minutes of catch in the park can be practice, movement and parent-child time together.
Source: CDC – Milestones by 4 Years