Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Health and Physical Development (HPD)

Subdomain: Motor Development

Goal: Children develop the large muscle control and abilities needed to move through and explore their environment.

Skill Progression: Ball skills

Age: 10-12 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 10-12 Months.

Observe the infant playing with toys and balls.

If the infant does not spontaneously roll the ball, the adult can sit across from the child, roll a ball to him, and ask for it to be rolled back.

The infant plays ball and takes several turns rolling the ball to the adult.

When infants discover they can throw objects, throwing becomes a new adventure. They especially like watching things disappear from the high chair tray. Assure parents that this is a phase. Adults can turn throwing into a learning activity by using balls or providing containers to throw or drop items into. Let early childhood educators and parents know that ball play is important because it teaches children turn-taking, which is important for communication and social interaction.