Roll the Ball

Supports this milestone

• engages in cooperative play with other children. — Head Start ELOF

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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

• Takes Turns

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