🎨 Moving & making · Ages 4–5 · about 3 weeks

Steady Steps and Soft Throws

Goal: Practise steady steps and gentle sending and catching, using beside and behind to describe positions.

For parents: An adult stays nearby on a clear, level, non-slip floor. Use a large soft ball and light targets. Offer a hand for balance. Seated reaching, rolling and catching are equally useful ways to join in; no hopping or catching target is compulsory.

Do together

  1. Step and hold

    You need: A clear floor space

    Take one slow step and pause with both feet steady. Try briefly lifting one foot with your hand available for support. Your child can choose to try one small hop or repeat the step. For seated play, reach one hand out and bring it back slowly.

  2. Soft send

    You need: A large soft ball and an open cardboard box checked by an adult

    Put the box on the floor. Stand or sit a short distance away and try an underarm throw into it. Your child can roll instead. Compare standing beside the box and behind it, then choose a comfortable throwing spot away from other people.

  3. Ready hands

    You need: The soft ball

    Stand or sit close together. Say your partner's name, wait for ready hands, then send a gentle low throw. Allow the ball to be caught against the body or rolled back. Move closer after a difficult turn and stop before anyone feels tired.

Talk about it

  • What helps you feel steady?
  • Are you beside the box or behind it?
  • How can we make the next catch easier?

Words to use

  • steady
  • step
  • hop
  • throw
  • catch
  • beside
  • behind

Play

  • Position Quest
    Position words
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