Materials:

• small, medium-sized, and large rubber balls
• chart paper and marker
• tunnel
• plastic cone
• chalk
• red paper

Objective: Children will engage in a variety of kickball games designed to increase their coordination skills and motor development.

In Advance: Collect a variety of rubber balls. Then read Ball! by Ros Asquith (DK Publishing Merchandise, 1999; $9.95) to the children during circle time. Ask them what they like to do with balls and record their responses on chart paper. Explain that they are going to play some special outdoor kicking games with balls.

ACTIVITIES

Kickball Help the children farm a line. While one teacher assists the children, another can roll the ball, giving each child a turn at kicking it back. Introduce the game by using a large rubber ball. After each child has had a turn, play the game with a medium-sized ball, then a small ball.

Kick It Through Invite each child to take a turn kicking a ball through a tunnel or cardboard box (open at both ends). Let the children experiment with kicking different-sized balls.

Kickball Relay Draw a line with chalk on the ground and ask the children to line up behind it. Place a plastic cone several feet away from that line. Explain that they'll each have a chance to move the ball with their feet to the cone and back again. When they return to the line, help them pass the ball to the next child.

Target Ball Tape a large sheet of red paper to a fence or wall. Ask the children to stand behind a chalk line close to the wall and invite them to try to kick the ball and hit the paper target. After all the children have had a turn, make a new fine that is a little farther away from the target. Keep moving the line back as the children complete their turns.

Remember: Some children may not want to engage in these kickball games, preferring instead to take turns rolling the ball to the child who will be kicking. Other children may enjoy cheering on their friends. Games can be adapted for small groups. Variations of these games can be played by bouncing or throwing the ball.

Curriculum Connection

Math: Sock Matching Ask parents to send in pairs of old socks. Invite the children to match the socks. Discuss their differences and similarities with the children, using words that describe colors, patterns, textures, and sizes to increase their descriptive vocabulary. Ask the children to count how many individual socks they have and how many pairs. Children can also make balls with the socks to toss into a box or plastic container or use with a beanbag target.