Why Catch Before the Bounce works

Drop a soft ball from a low height and try to catch it after one gentle bounce. Choose a soft, medium-size ball and a clear patch of floor.

Set up — Choose a soft, medium-size ball and a clear patch of floor

Prepare ball before the child is asked to choose a soft, medium-size ball and a clear patch of floor. Complete the opening request to choose a soft, medium-size ball and a clear patch of floor once before adding the next instruction to begin with the adult demonstrating a very low drop rather than a throw. Keep the floor clear and the movement controlled throughout that first transition.

Step 2 — Begin with the adult demonstrating a very low drop rather than a…

Treat the attempt to begin with the adult demonstrating a very low drop rather than a throw as a checkpoint between the earlier step to choose a soft, medium-size ball and a clear patch of floor and the coming step to drop the ball from around knee height and let it bounce once. A perfect answer is not required.

Step 3 — Drop the ball from around knee height and let it bounce once

After completing the instruction to drop the ball from around knee height and let it bounce once, pause and ask what changed from the earlier step where they had to begin with the adult demonstrating a very low drop rather than a throw. Use that answer to decide whether they are ready to the child reaches with two hands to catch or trap it against the body.

Step 4 — The child reaches with two hands to catch or trap it against…

Keep the adult prompt brief while the child tries to the child reaches with two hands to catch or trap it against the body. If needed, return to the earlier step to drop the ball from around knee height and let it bounce once before asking them to use a soft ball only, keep throws below chest height and stay well away from windows, stairs, pets and breakable objects.

Step 5 — Use a soft ball only, keep throws below chest height and stay…

Keep the pace slow while the child tries to use a soft ball only, keep throws below chest height and stay well away from windows, stairs, pets and breakable objects. If the effect is hard to see, simplify that action before continuing with the instruction to use a soft ball only, keep throws below chest height and stay well away from windows, stairs, pets and breakable objects.

What to notice before Use a soft ball only, keep throws below…

The strongest evidence appears after the child has tried to drop the ball from around knee height and let it bounce once and before they finish by trying to use a soft ball only, keep throws below chest height and stay well away from windows, stairs, pets and breakable objects. Look for whether the child can change action or direction deliberately without losing control rather than judging the round by speed or neatness.

Make Drop the ball from around knee height… easier or harder

Use the child’s last successful attempt to drop the ball from around knee height and let it bounce once to set the next round. Simplify by doing this: shorten the route, slow the pace, or use fewer actions. Extend it by doing this: add one remembered action or direction change without increasing speed.

Finish after Use a soft ball only, keep throws below…

Use a soft ball only, keep throws below chest height and stay well away from windows, stairs, pets and breakable objects. Finish the activity there rather than repeating the same successful cycle. Continue with a different idea from the activity search or the activity generator.