Bouncing Ball Catch and Count

A medium-sized rubber ball that bounces well (like a playground ball)

Pick a ball that fits comfortably in your child's two hands — about the size of a small playground ball or a rubber kickball.

Find a flat, hard surface. Concrete, tile, and gym floors give the best bounce. Grass absorbs too much energy.

Stand about 3 feet from your child, facing each other. Start close so success comes quickly.

Bounce the ball firmly on the ground so it comes up to about your child's chest height. Say "Catch!" as it bounces up toward them.

Your child should try to trap the ball with both hands as it comes up from the bounce. At this age, catching against their body counts.

When they catch it (or corral it), cheer! Then show them how to bounce it back to you: push the ball down firmly onto the ground so it bounces toward you.

Count each successful exchange out loud: "That's one! Now two! Can we get to three?" The counting makes it a game.

As they get the hang of it, step back a foot at a time. Each extra foot of distance is a new level of difficulty.

Bouncing requires a very different skill than throwing. The child needs to push down (not forward), and catching requires timing the bounce. Be patient — this takes practice.

A slightly deflated ball bounces lower and more predictably, which is actually easier for beginners.

Encourage your child to watch the ball all the way into their hands. "Watch it, watch it, grab!" helps them track.

If catching is too hard, start by just bouncing the ball to each other without catching — let it bounce, then pick it up. Work up to catching.

Try bouncing against a wall. The wall sends the ball back, and your child can practice catching at their own pace.