Ball skills are an important component of developmental progression. When kids play by throwing, catching, and kicking, they are working on using both sides of their bodies (bilateral coordination), hand-eye coordination, and balance.
By 12 months
Are able to roll a ball back and forth
Begin throwing a ball
By age 2
Able to stand and throw a ball without losing balance
Can kick a ball forward 3 feet
Throw a tennis ball at least 3 feet both overhand and underhand
By age 3
Can throw a tennis ball at least 7 feet forward
Can catch a playground ball using just their hands
Can kick a ball at least 6 feet forward using opposite arm/leg movements
By age 4
Can throw a tennis ball over or underhand using opposite arm/leg movements
Can throw a small ball and hit a target 5 feet away
By age 5
Can hit a target up to 12 feet away using an overhand throw
Can catch a tennis ball with hands
Can bounce a ball and then have it hit a wall
By age 6
Can bounce and catch a small ball in place with one hand
Can kick a ball up in the air and at least 12 feet forward
Please remember as with all developmental skills, kids develop at their own pace. Every kid has their areas of strengths and areas they struggle with in development. If you have any concerns about your child’s development or they are having difficulty with age appropriate ball skills, talk to your pediatrician or reach out to me!