A bit of history
Interestingly, the ancient fun with the ball was not just games. They associated with magical rituals. So, in Egyptian football, every team was called upon to play on the side of their god, and victory was also won in the name of the gods. Material for making balls used the most diverse. He could weave from reeds, cut out of wood, bark, twisted from rags, sewed from animal skins. In this case, the Greeks stuffed leather balls with moss or feathers of birds, Romans - seeds of fig fruits.
The Romans were the first who invented to inflate the ball with air. Similar balls were made from the bladder of animals, which were laced on top with pieces of skin. A ball of rubber "galloped" to Europe from Central America. Indigenous people (Indians) made it from resin, which was extracted from cuts of the bark of rubber plants and called "caoutchouc" (from the words "kaa" - a tree and "o-chu" - to cry). The game of American Indians with a rubber ball was also a ritual action, and, in the opinion of modern man, cruel. It ended with a sacrifice, and the victim was brought to the captain of the losing team. The rubber ball caught the eye of the sailor Christopher Columbus. He was surprised that the big and heavy ball jumped so high when it struck the ground. The famous traveler brought a rubber ball to Spain. And the elastic ball conquered the whole civilized world.
Ball games for children under one year
All less often we see the ball in the hands of children, but sorry. After all, this is the toy that can be useful and interesting throughout childhood. It's amazing what a variety of impressions and actions a kid can give an ordinary ball! Perhaps, in this ball there are no equal toys, and they are unlikely to be. Flesh, crumb, ball ... - it's something soft, pleasant to the touch. Put the ball into the baby's little hand, just to be wrapped around it, grabbed it with your fingers, felt its round shape and learned to hold it in your hand. This exercise will strengthen the child's fingers and whole hand. For this purpose, a patchwork with a "noise" inside or a woven ball with a diameter of 5-6 cm is suitable. In this way we will bring the child's toy into life, which will become his friend, capable of bringing joy and pleasure. Once in the possession of the baby, the ball will no longer disappear from his field of vision.
In 5-6 months, hang a light rubber ball with a bright pattern to the crib at the feet of the baby. Your little one will be happy to beat his legs with it. Unpredictable movements of the ball will cause the child's delight, the desire to kick the ball again and again. This is an exciting activity - the simplest physical exercise, developing the muscles of the legs, improving the coordination of movements. At this age the baby can not move by himself. To call him to the movement will be a big ball of bright color with a built-in musical instrument that emits melodic sounds. The kid will reach for such a ball and try to crawl up to him, if he is at a distance.
The kid likes to throw various objects in 8-10 months. It is at this time to begin to teach him to play various games with the ball. With great pleasure he will do these actions. In this case, the child throws the toy one or the other, or even two, if the ball is large. After releasing the ball from the hands, the kid watches as he bounces off the floor, rolls over it, looks for the place of the fall, demands to give the ball for repeated throws. And he likes to throw and roll, fill the basket with a ball or a box. Give the child and this opportunity, offering him at his disposal a few small balls.
To your little girl about a year? Show him how to throw a small ball into a basket or a box, how to throw it forward, capturing with both hands. Initially, let the baby perform these actions while sitting, as he is still hesitantly held in a vertical position and, having made too vigorous movement, the kid can lose his balance. When he feels more confident on his feet, it becomes possible to throw from standing position. The more often a child throws a ball, the more skillfully he will do it, and the further the ball will fly. Yes, and play with the ball the kid can not only in the apartment, but already on the street. Ask to kindle the ball to a tree, bush, sandbox, throw through a typewriter, a low hedge, throw it to you. How much fun and pleasure the child will receive from such games!
Ball games for children under 3 years old
In 2-3 years, ask the child to roll the ball off the hill or any elevation. Children are very fond of such games. In this movement, you do not need to push the ball, and you can skate it in any direction. Then show how to roll the ball along a certain path: between toys "snake", along a narrow path. For successful rolling, teach to direct the ball forward, trying not to shy away, the push should be strong and sure. And the baby will like to roll together with you a ball to each other sitting on the floor, roll it into the hole, throw it into the basket.
Catching the ball is still difficult for a toddler. But worth a try! Take a light rubber or inflatable ball of medium size, throw his baby from a small (50-70 cm) distance - catch it! Of course, he can not, because he does not know how to do it. But, seeing how you do it, you will spread your hands wide. The ball, flying between them or hitting the palm of your hand, will fall. But support the baby in his endeavors, joking, mock the naughty ball for disobedience. And after many attempts, albeit from a short distance, the kid will catch the ball with his hands, press it to his chest. And after the first luck they will be more and more.
You can play with the kid "in football." And it does not matter that, most likely, the first "coach" in football will be a mother or grandmother (dad at work!). The main thing for the kid is not the technique of the game, but a variety of movements and emotional impressions. Perhaps, at first the child will miss the ball many times, but after several attempts he will still be able to hit it and "score" you a goal. Divide the delight of the baby, praise it, dipping into the warmth of your eyes.
And how great it is to just throw a bright ball up or throw in any direction! Suggest the child to throw the ball "on the cloud", to say "to the sun" at first without catching. Carrying a throw, your baby is actively straightened, as if reaching for the ball. In this case, the muscles of the shoulder girdle are strengthened, the spine "stretches", posture improves.
When a child is 4-6 years old
Throwing and catching - more complex movements that require a good eye. These movements offer the child about four years. Advise to throw the ball not high, directly in front of you, then it is easier to catch.
A child of five years can show how to throw the ball on the ground, the wall, trying to catch it, to fight without catching. Success in beating the ball largely depends on the condition of the surface, so perform it better on the asphalt track, a dense level ground. The child is interested in rotating the ball in place on its axis. To do this, the ball with a clear, bright, better geometric pattern is more suitable.
In the sixth year the child is interested in all the exercises with the ball, which he performed earlier with some complication (roll the ball between objects, roll and run after it, toss up and catch several times in a row, beat on the asphalt and catch it, throw it away in various ways: from below, from behind the shoulder, to each other - and catch, throw the ball into the vertical target and the horizontal goal, throw the ball at a distance). Note that the child performs the exercises alternately with his right and left hand. This is very important not only for the harmonious development of the hands, but also for the prevention of posture disorders. These games can be conducted in the form of entertaining competitions of the pope, mother and child: who will leave more, who will enter the "window", hoop, etc. more often.
It is important to take into account and maintain the balance of the winners and the loss of participants. Constant victories, like frequent losses, are harmful to the child. Failures will cause a negative attitude towards the game, and permanent gain can develop conceit, boasting, a sense of exclusivity. You can play different games, coming up with new "tasks" for the ball. The kid begins to experiment, show new exercises and ball games, which, of course, will please you and surprise you. Do not be angry if the child is a little fool. Pamper a little and you! Joint mischief will bring about warmth and mutual understanding.
Ball and child 7 years old
In the seventh year of life, children show great interest in sports games. It is necessary to satisfy the desires of the child and introduce him to the elements of these games. Basketball, football, handball, Russian lapta, field hockey, table tennis ... In all this he can already play - there are a lot of different games with the ball. Recollect, what pleasure received in the childhood, playing these games. Organize mini-teams from your child's peers for 2-3 people and ... play!
In sports games the child will not only be able to realize his motor skills in new conditions, but also learn to solve various tactical tasks, train attention, memory, quick thinking. You can also introduce the child to the variety of balls for sports games: small rubber and tennis in diameter 5-6 cm, medium size, 8-12 cm in diameter, large diameter 18-20 cm. For some exercises and games it is better to use an inflatable ball (very good for games on the water) or volleyball. By the way, a child of preschool age and football is better to play volleyball. Make sure that the balls are elastic and bounce off the ground or the wall well.
And such fascinating, but a little forgotten games with a ball, as "edible-inedible", "шдердер", "a potato", "выбивалы"? Offer them to your child and his friends, play a variety of ball games with them. Everyone will get a boost of vigor - both children and adults. At the same time, you will strengthen your authority and, undoubtedly, will see admiration in the eyes of your child.
The most important condition of the games (and not only with the ball) is a smile, joy, praise, your sincere interest. Play with pleasure. The child sensitively catches your mood, and he will feel if you do it "through strength." Interest in the game can be blunted by coercion, excessive insistence on your part and your refusal to "play." You should finish the game immediately, as soon as you notice the first signs of the loss of the child's interest in it.
I want to especially note, dear mom and dad, that "child", "baby" - this is a girl and a boy. And both can equally and should be taught to play with the ball. Children's movements will acquire accuracy, dexterity, ease, and this will not hurt either the boy or the girl. And how to diversify these games the life of your baby!
Having mastered some of the techniques of various games with the ball, the child will feel more confident, more adult, stronger, dexterous, independent. Exercises and games with balls of different weight and volume will help develop not only large but also small muscles of both hands, increase the mobility of joints, develop fingers and brushes, which is extremely important for children preparing for school. As you can see, almost everything that is necessary for the harmonious physical development of your child, is able to give him a ball - such a "simple and mischievous." Just make friends!