Ball on the Wall Letter Practice
Tools
Large Ball (light-weight)
Printed PDF (Click Here)
Scissors (to cut out the PDF letter cards)
Activity Description
Children will walk the ball on the wall by using their hands and try to touch each letter target without dropping the ball.
Steps
Step 1: Print out the PDF and cut out letter cards with scissors. Tape the letter cards to the wall around shoulder height of the child.
Step 2: Start with the ball touching the floor and against the wall. Walk the ball up the wall to shoulder height by using both hands to move the ball.
Step 3: Try to roll the ball to a letter while crossing arms one over another. Name the letter and say its sound. For older children, have them say a word that begins with that letter.
Step 4: Continue moving the ball on the wall until all letters have been touched or your child tires from fatigue.
Goals
Children will work on letter recognition and sounds. This activity also works on the strengthening the upper body, crossing midline, and improving shoulder stability. Shoulder stability should be established before a child begins kindergarten. When shoulder stability is weak, it can lead to difficulties in the classroom, especially for handwriting and drawing tasks.
Tips for Parents
Parents, shoulder stability is an important developmental milestone. Shoulder stability should be established before a child begins kindergarten. When shoulder stability is weak, it can lead to difficulties in the classroom, especially with handwriting and drawing tasks. It is also a precursor to controlled and coordinated fine motor movements.
