Roll the Ball
Children practice taking turns by rolling a ball back and forth with a partner.
Ages 30–54 months
Materials
- A soft ball
- Optional "my turn" card or object to pass
Steps
- Say "My turn" and roll the ball to the child.
- Cue "Now it's your turn" and wait for them to roll it back.
- Name the turn-taking ("You waited, then it was your turn!").
- Keep the rhythm going, gradually lengthening the wait.
Variations
- Pass a shaker around a small circle, each child taking a turn.
Differentiation
- For beginners, keep waits very short and use a turn object.
- For older children, add three or more players to a circle.
Accessibility
- Use a visual or object cue to make whose-turn-it-is concrete.
Practices these skills
Evidence
- CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." Developmental Milestones — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2022 · U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Early Atlas