Catch a falling scarf

FOR AGES 1-3
Ball playing can be intimidating to a child just learning to coordinate his movements. It isn’t so much the throwing of the ball, as the trying to catch and missing that can undermine a small one’s growing confidence.

Scarf catching is a great way to start feeling competent. A scarf moves so much slower than a ball that it gives wiggle room for learning.

CATCH A FALLING SCARF

MATERIALS:
Scarf (scarves if there more than one player or paper towels if no scarves are handy)
Balloon (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Throw the scarf up in the air and have your child or children catch it out of the air as it floats down. Let him experiment tossing and catching on his own and then try tossing the scarf back and forth between you.

Encourage your child to try different ways of catching. Sometimes let the scarf fall gently down into his waiting hands. Other times have him try to snatch it out of the air or jump up to get it while it is still overhead.

For a game finale, to change the pace and speed up the action, blow up a balloon, hold it up for a moment to give your child(ren) time to get ready and then let it go. As the balloon whizzes around the room, try to catch it!