Catch: fundamental movement skill

The two-handed catch is a manipulative skill that involves receiving an object. The hands are positioned in front of the body with the elbows bent. The arms extend, reaching for the ball as it arrives. The ball is caught by the hands only. Some common errors that children experience with catching include: catching against the body rather than in the hands, turning their head away, closing their eyes or leaning backwards away from the object, having little or no elbow bend to cushion the ball after catching, and not having their hands ready to catch. Some corrections and verbal cues to address these common errors could include: instructing children to have their arms ready and to catch with their hands, watch the object move into their hands, bend their elbows so it is easier to hold onto the ball, and to cup their hands together ready for the ball to arrive.

In an appropriate space, mark out an area large enough for the children to stand in a circle, with the educator in the middle. The educator bounces the ball to each child in the circle. The child catches the ball and bounces it back to the educator. The children who are not catching clap on the bounce and reach high on the catch. Swap the large bouncy ball to a medium sized ball. Throw the ball to each child in the circle. Sing the following song to the tune of Frere Jacques: I am catching, I am catching, yes I am, yes I am, see me catch the ball, see me catch the ball, clever I am, clever I am.