My Own Basketballs I
Parent and child create paper basketballs by coloring and rolling paper, then practice tossing them into a bucket or hoop. The agent coaches the parent to observe fine motor skills like proper crayon grip, bilateral coordination during ball rolling, and hand-eye coordination during tossing — building hand strength and coordination through creative play.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Sitting area with paper and crayons. Open floor space for tossing into a bucket or makeshift hoop. Paper should be regular printer or construction paper. Bucket/basket placed 3-5 feet away.
How it works
- 1~45s
Start by inviting your child to choose a crayon for themself and one for you. As they begins coloring the paper, watch how your child holds the crayon. Is they using a proper writing grip — fingers near the tip, thumb and index finger working together? Or is they still using a fist grip? Tell me what you notice about their grasp.
Watch for: Child holds crayon with mature tripod or quadrupod grip — fingers positioned near the tip for controlled coloring.
- 2~50s
Now let's turn our colored paper into basketballs! Show your child how to roll the paper between both hands, using a back-and-forth motion to form a ball. Watch as they tries. Does your child use both hands together smoothly? Can they apply enough pressure to compact the paper? Notice if they struggles with the bilateral coordination or if the ball stays loose.
Watch for: Child uses both hands together in coordinated motion to roll paper into a compact ball.
- 3~60s
Time for basketball! Place your bucket or basket a few feet away. Show your child how to gently toss their paper ball toward the target. Watch their throwing motion — does they aim with their eyes? Does they adjust their throw if they misses? Notice the hand-eye coordination as they tries to get the ball in the bucket.
Watch for: Child demonstrates hand-eye coordination by aiming and tossing paper ball toward bucket with some accuracy.