How to Teach Your Child to Kick a Ball: A Simple Guide
Learning to kick a ball is a fun and exciting milestone for children. It’s not just about playing games – kicking a ball helps children develop coordination, balance, and motor skills. For some kids, especially those with developmental delays, coordination issues, or autism, kicking a ball might be more challenging. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, we offer Occupational Therapy (OT) to support children in mastering skills like ball kicking, ensuring every child can reach their full potential.
Let’s explore the steps for teaching your child how to kick a ball, with real success stories to inspire you.
Step 1: Choose the Right Ball
Start by choosing a ball that is easy for your child to kick. A soft, lightweight ball is perfect for beginners. Make sure the ball is large enough for your child to see and kick but light enough that it doesn’t hurt if they miss. Foam or beach balls work well because they are easy to control.
For children with coordination issues, a ball that’s colourful and light makes learning more fun and less frustrating. It’s important that the ball is safe and comfortable for your child to use, especially if they have sensory sensitivities.
Step 2: Create a Safe and Open Space
Find a safe and open space for practice. A garden, park, or a spacious room is ideal. Ensure the area is free from obstacles, so your child can focus on learning to kick the ball without worrying about bumping into anything.
Children with developmental delays or autism may feel overwhelmed in busy or noisy environments, so a quiet space helps them stay focused.
Step 3: Demonstrate How to Kick
Start by demonstrating how to kick the ball. Stand behind the ball, use one foot to plant firmly on the ground, and swing the other foot to kick the ball. Keep your eyes on the ball and encourage your child to watch closely. Children often learn by copying what they see, so showing them how it’s done is key.
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we break down these steps into smaller, more manageable parts for children who need extra guidance. We use verbal cues like “stand tall” or “kick with your foot,” and we encourage the child to try one step at a time.
Step 4: Focus on Balance and Coordination
Before kicking the ball, help your child understand how to balance. Ask them to stand on one leg for a few seconds, then switch to the other leg. Once they feel comfortable standing on one leg, introduce the idea of lifting one leg to kick. This step helps children with coordination issues or motor planning challenges build the foundation they need for a successful kick.
If your child has gross motor delays, our Occupational Therapists can work on strengthening their balance and coordination through specific exercises. We often see huge progress when children practise balancing before kicking.
Step 5: Encourage Simple Kicks
Now it’s time for your child to kick the ball. Start with small, gentle kicks to help them build confidence. You can hold the ball steady if needed or roll it slowly towards them to make it easier to kick. Celebrate every successful kick, no matter how small.
Many children feel proud when they succeed in kicking the ball for the first time. For children with developmental delays, it’s important to provide lots of praise and encouragement to boost their confidence.
Step 6: Practice Aiming
Once your child is comfortable kicking, start introducing the idea of aiming. Place a target, like a cone or a soft toy, and encourage your child to kick the ball towards it. This helps improve their focus and motor control.
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we often use fun and engaging activities, like aiming games, to help children improve their aim. It’s all about making the experience enjoyable while they’re learning.
Step 7: Keep It Fun and Playful
Make ball-kicking practice fun! Play simple games like kick the ball to Mum or Dad or kick the ball into a goal. The more your child enjoys the activity, the more likely they’ll keep practising. Set small challenges, like seeing how far they can kick the ball or how many times they can kick it in a row.
For children with autism, play-based activities make learning less intimidating. Our therapists often incorporate kicking games into therapy sessions, so kids can learn while having fun.
Success Story 1: Sam Learns to Kick with OT
Sam, a 5-year-old boy with autism, struggled with balance and coordination. He found it difficult to stand on one leg and often felt frustrated when trying to kick a ball. His grandparents brought him to OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, seeking support from our experienced Occupational Therapists.
After an assessment, Sam’s OT created a customised plan that focused on improving his balance and coordination. The therapist used fun, playful activities to help Sam practice standing on one leg and kicking small balls. Verbal prompts and hand-over-hand support were used when needed. Sam’s therapist celebrated every small success with him, building his confidence along the way.
After several months of therapy, Sam’s kicking skills improved significantly. He now enjoys kicking a ball around with his friends at school, and his parents are thrilled with his progress. The skills Sam learned in therapy have also helped him in other physical activities, like running and jumping.
Success Story 2: Ella’s Journey to Confidence
Ella, a 6-year-old girl with developmental delays, struggled with motor planning and coordination. She had difficulty understanding how to kick a ball and often felt unsure of herself. Her parents turned to OneOnOne Children’s Therapy for guidance. her parents brought Ella to our Mascot clinic.
Ella’s Occupational Therapist, a member of AHPRA, worked closely with her to break down the steps of kicking. They started with balance exercises, followed by small kicking games. By making the learning process fun and interactive, Ella slowly gained the confidence to kick a ball independently.
After a few months of therapy, Ella could kick the ball confidently across the garden. Her parents noticed a big improvement in her overall coordination and motor skills. She even started joining in football games with her cousins, something she never felt able to do before.
How Occupational Therapy Helps Teach Your Child to Kick a Ball
Some children have difficulty learning to kick a ball due to coordination issues, motor delays, or autism. That’s where Occupational Therapy can make a big difference. At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we provide OT sessions tailored to your child’s individual needs. Our team of AHPRA-registered therapists focuses on improving gross motor skills, balance, and coordination through fun and engaging activities.
We break down complex movements into simple, manageable steps. This helps children feel confident as they learn to kick a ball or achieve other physical milestones.
We’re Here to Support You
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we believe that every child deserves the chance to thrive. Our team of experienced Occupational Therapists is dedicated to helping children build essential skills like ball-kicking, which boost their confidence and coordination.
Reach Out for Support to Teach Your Child to Kick a Ball
If your child is having trouble learning to kick a ball or struggling with coordination, we’re here to help. Our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics are equipped to provide the best Occupational Therapy services to support your child’s development.
Call us on (02) 8065 7837 or email us to book a free 30-minute consultation. Let’s work together to help your child achieve their goals and have fun while doing it!
