Infant Playtime with a Ball
It takes two people to pass a ball back and forth. And it is a great way to connect with your baby. Even if your baby cannot speak yet, that give and take with a ball is a way of communicating back and forth!
- Audience
- Caregiver
- Subject
- Open-Ended Play
- Age
- Infant
- Languages
- EnglishHaitian CreoleSpanish
- Materials
- Ball, cloth
Play is a natural way to support the parent-child bond. Try engaging your infant in playtime with a ball!
Get ready
Sit on the floor. Hold a ball in front of your baby’s face. Smile and say, “Ball!” When your baby looks at you or the ball, it is time to play!
Try this!
Find the ball
Cover a ball with a cloth. Say, “Where’s the ball?” Then uncover it and say, “Ball!” or “Here it is!” Does your baby look for the ball? Try it again!
Try to get it
Place your baby on their belly for tummy time. Put a ball just out of your baby’s reach so they can look at it and reach for it. Point to the ball and say, “ball.” As your baby gets older, they may roll or scoot to get it.
Back and forth
Hand a ball to your baby. Let them take it from you or put it on their lap. They might give it back to you by handing it to you, rolling it, or dropping it. Say, “For me? Thank you!” Then give it back to them. “For you.” Pass the ball back and forth, again and again.
Safety tip!Tummy time can only happen when your baby is awake and you are watching them.
If your ball gets lost, make a new one from everyday things. Try crumpling up a piece of paper or rolling up a sock!
While you play...
Watch carefully. Is your baby looking at the ball? If they are, give them a ball to play with! Is your baby fussy, hungry, or tired? Give your child what they need and play later.
Practice together. Even if your baby does not say words yet, they will make lots of sounds. When your baby says “bah,” then you say “bah.” Make the same sound that they make—just like you are talking to each other!
Say, “Yay!” Did your baby roll the ball? Did they pick it up and drop it? When your baby does something with the ball, clap your hands and say, “Yay!” or “Wow!” Even little things are big for your baby!
Why do it?
It takes two people to pass a ball back and forth. And it is a great way to connect with your baby. Even if your baby cannot speak yet, that give and take with a ball is a way of communicating back and forth!
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