Throwing Small Ball With Forward Arm Motion
Child throws a small ball using forward arm motion (not just dropping it)
What the research says
Referenced across 1 developmental framework: asq_3
Full quotes, source languages, and document links coming soon as we finish the source-evidence indexing pass.
Before this (4)
Required (1)
- Voluntary ReleaseMin: secureMust be able to release objects voluntarily before can throw
Helpful (1)
- ImitationMin: developingHelps child learn throwing motion from demonstration
Character (2)
How it's taught
Demonstrate throwing; play catch with soft balls; provide targets; use balls of various sizes; make throwing playful
Materials: Small soft balls, bean bags, targets (buckets, boxes)
What mastery looks like
Does not throw; only drops or hands ball to others
- Drops ball rather than throwing
- Hands ball to adult
- No forward arm motion when releasing ball
Beginning to make forward arm motion but throw is weak or inconsistent
- Some forward arm motion visible
- Ball doesn't travel far
- Throwing motion not yet smooth
Regularly throws with clear forward arm motion
- Clear forward swing of arm
- Ball travels forward several feet
- Throwing motion becoming more coordinated
Consistently throws ball with good forward arm motion and some accuracy
- Throws ball with force
- Ball travels in intended direction most of the time
- Smooth throwing motion
Throws skillfully; can throw at targets or to other people
- Throws with accuracy toward targets
- Can throw balls of different sizes
- Adjusts throwing force based on distance
Activities for this (9)
Basketball Players
Parent and child pretend to be basketball players, practicing running with a ball, bouncing, throwing toward a target, and retrieving. The agent coaches the parent to observe gross motor coordination, directional running, overhand throwing mechanics, and persistence in retrieving thrown objects — building foundational ball-handling skills through imaginative play.
Back and Throw
Parent plays a throwing game with child where they walk backwards to increase distance from a target box. The agent coaches the parent to observe backward walking coordination, balance during movement, and throwing accuracy — building gross motor skills, spatial awareness, and motor planning.
Run and Throw!
Parent engages toddler in a running and throwing game, encouraging movement across different surfaces and practicing overhand throwing. The agent coaches the parent to observe running confidence, directional control, and throwing coordination — building gross motor skills and physical confidence.
Number 1
This helps stimulate your child's hand coordination and introduce her to the number 1. For this activity you will need some plastic balls. Begin by giving your child some balls and encouraging her to play with them freely with them. Begin showing her the significance of the number "one"
Balloons
This helps exercise gross motor skills by throwing and catching balloons. Begin this activity by giving your child an inflated balloon and allowing him to explore it for some time. Now, ask him to throw it up into the air using his hands and then try and catch it. Be carefu
The Crazy Balls
This helps exercise balance and gross motor skills by throwing and catching balls. Begin this activity by placing a box three meters away from your child. Show her how to throw balls towards the box, and then allow her to try. When you have thrown all the balls, ask your child to pi
Kick and throw the ball
This helps reinforce gross motor skills by playing with balls. Begin this activity by showing your toddler how to kick and throw a small ball. Now allow him to try on several occasions doing the same thing by himself. Then ask him to pick up all the balls that ar
Bouncing, kicking, and throwing the ball
This helps reinforce gross motor skills by playing with balls. Begin this activity by asking your child to sit on one side of the room while you sit on the other. Explain that you will be playing to throw, kick, and bounce a ball. First, throw him the ball so he
The Ramp
This helps reinforce gross motor skills with stairs and ramps. Start this activity by placing yourself together with your toddler in front of a ramp and showing him how, if you throw a ball up the ramp, it will come back, and invite him to try it. Now, ask your c
Formal assessments
No matching assessment items indexed yet.