"No Chicken Wings"

I taught my Preschooler the chest pass just after her third birthday. As soon as she showed a hint of interest, I pounced on the opportunity.

I am often surprised by the number of 6, 7 and 8 year old girls fumbling and being ill at ease when they have a ball in their hands, so I wanted to get this one right for my preschooler. Girls who do not have sound ball skills by Year 3 show reluctance to take part in games and activities due to their feelings of incompetence.

I think the chest pass is the ideal starting point when it comes to the teaching of throwing.  Here is why.

Even in the first stage of learning this skill (cognitive stage), learners can use it in games and activities. It requires both hands and develops upper body strength evenly. It can be easily mastered and subsequently, gives the thrower a great early boost.

Some pointers:

• Choose a soft, light ball that is their chest size.
• Hold the ball with the fingers spread out and pointing up.
• Begin with the ball held at chest height and close to the chest.
• Keep elbows comfortably close to the body; "no chicken wings"

• Push the ball to the target.
• Point the fingers at the target after the ball is released.
• I would add "step when you throw" at Prep level or when outside (heavier) balls are used. This is where the weight is transferred from the foot at the back to the dominant foot out in front.

Some activities:

• Throw the ball against the ball; aiming at a target
• Play two-person poison ball - ask them to throw the ball at you...and if they hit you with it...it is a point to them. Change the rules to make it harder or easier as their skills progress
• .Throw whilst sitting, kneeling and standing and standing on one foot,  
• Throw for distance; measure the distance by doing the Heel Toe walk
• Always demonstrate and model the action - 'do as you  say/say as you do'

You can not stop our apple fun

We love Dr Seuss books here..they are fantastic read-aloud books.

'Ten Apples Up On Top' is a good resource for teaching numeracy as well being a good title for the early reader.

For our Preschooler however, just counting the apples on each page to concur with the text proved to be enticing.

From there, we started to look for things to balance on our heads. Fortunately, I happened to have small Bean Bags ready for just that purpose.

Balancing a Bean Bag on the head promotes good posture and develops balance and control. Head held still and eyes straight ahead are necessary reminders.

Once this is achieved, encourage walking around the room; forwards, sideways, backwards. Suggest bending down to touch the ground, turn around. Then try balancing the Bean Bag on the shoulder, elbow, knee etc.

Combining the Bean Bag balance with 'Heel-Toe walking' would present a very good challenge.

What fun!
We will not
let them fall.

We wish you lots of apple fun.

Heel, Toe, Heel, Toe

Most kids love to walk along brick walls or any wall/edge wide enough to safely hold their weight. Whenever we are out and about and have the opportunity to, we always take it. It is fun and a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

When we are at home though, masking tape on the carpet or rug serves as a visual wall for heel toe walking. The heel of each next step touches the toe of the foot behind. My Pre-Schooler has just started to do this and at this initial stage, great concentration is required to succeed at this task. Gentle encouragement is required.

Opportunities to return to the task at her own time has proved to be positive.

Why Heel Toe walking? The action requires controlled coordinated dynamic balance and practicing this type of walking develops this.

Low tack masking tape is better. Experiment with various lengths and don't forget to remove the tape at the end of the session to avoid permanent adhesive stains.