So you think you have the next Major League Baseball player?  Maybe you do!  About 6 years a go I was working with this family, some weeks the mom would come in and other weeks the dad would come in.  These parents were really involved.  They asked a lot of great questions and were always eager for things to do at home.  On this particular day, the dad brought in his 3 year-old son.  The dad had that defeated look.  After some inquiry, the dad revealed to me that he just wanted to play ball with his son.  After all, he was three and he should be able to catch and throw a ball right?  Technically yes, but this little guy wasn't ready.  Here's a little snippet of what this little one looked like at age 3:

• Gravitationally insecure would be a great way to describe him.  He was fearful of any type of movement, and he had a really hard time even walking on different surfaces without losing his balance.
• Poor postural control - this little guy had to work so hard to sit upright.  Any sort of movement was challenging for him. His arms were always out while he walked in the event that he fell down.  
• Ocular-motor deficits - He had a hard time visually attending, scanning, and watching things that moved.  Imagine trying to catch a ball if your eyes aren't working together.  
• Motor planning deficits were also present.  This little guy had difficulty planning, timing, and sequencing his movements.  He had to think about what he needed to move, where and how he needed to move, and then actually performing the task.  

After chatting with this dad about why is son was having such as hard time with ball skills, he felt terrible.  That definitely wasn't my intention.  I do think it is important to explain to parents, why or why not, a child may not be ready for a particular skill.  I gave dad some things he could do to interact with his child, on his level, while working on ball skills.  It was a win-win, and slowly but surely this dad was able to play with his son in a way that was important to him, while ensuring his son's success.

Why are ball skills important?

Catching, throwing, and kicking a ball are important play skills to master before beginning specialized sports.  The ability to catch, throw, and kick a ball often reflect how well a child can balance his body in space, interact with his environment, and coordinate opposing sides of his body.  

When should a child be able to catch a ball?

Age 1 - Your child should be able to catch a ball in sitting by corralling it with his arms/hands, without losing his balance.

Age 2 - Your child should be able to stand and hold his arms out in front of his body, with palms up (ready hands).  Your child should attempt to secure a ball thrown from 5 feet away by trapping the ball against his chest.

Age 3 - Your child should be able to catch a ball thrown from 5 feet away with hands only, and arms outstretched.

Ages 4-5 - Your child can catch a tennis ball, with hands only, from 5 feet away.

Age 6 - Your child should be able to bounce a tennis ball and catch it with one hand.

When and how should my child throw a ball?

Age 1 - Your child should be able to roll a ball forward on the floor for at least 3 feet, using hs hands.  He should also be able to stand and throw a ball in any direction by extending his arm at the shoulder or elbow.

Age 2 - Your child should be able to throw a tennis ball forward 3 feet using an overhand and underhand throw without failing.

Age 3 - 4 - Your child should be able to throw a tennis ball 10 feet in the air while using appropriate technique.  Appropriate technique includes trunk rotation with arms and legs moving in opposition.  Your child should also be able to hit a target from 5 feet away while using an underhand throw.

Age 4 - 5 - Your child should be able to throw a tennis ball underhand for at least 10 feet while rotating their trunk and using opposing arm/leg movements.  He should also be able to hit a target from 12 feet away, at least 50% of the time, using an overhand throw.  

When should your child be able to kick a ball?

Age 1-2 - Your child should have the balance and coordination to stand, lift his foot, and contact a ball.  By 20 months of age your child should be able to kick a stationary ball forward 3 feet.

Age 2 - Your child should be able to kick a ball forward for 3 feet in a straight line.

Age 3 - Your child should be able to kick a moving ball forward for 6 feet using opposing arm and leg movements.  The kick should be initiated by bringing the foot backwards while the knee is bent.

Age 6 - Your child should have the balance, coordination, and strength to kick a moving ball forward and into the air for at least 12 feet, using proper technique.  

As you can see, ball skills require a great deal of balance, coordination, and strength before a child can progress to the next level.  Start where your child is at, not where they should be.  While working on these skills with your child, ensure their success.  Be patient.  Practice.    Always make it fun!