Your Name—Here Comes the Ball!

1. 1

   When a familiar friend visits, invite the children and adults into a name-and-ball game.

2. 2

   Sit in a small circle with a light, soft ball.

3. 3

   Let the adults demonstrate. One person calls another player’s name; that player answers, “Here!” and receives the ball.

4. 4

   If your child throws before naming someone, quietly supply the name and invite them to try saying it on the next turn.

5. 5

   If naming remains difficult, call the recipient yourself and let your child focus on sending the ball to that person.

6. 6

   Encourage the children to pass to one another. Offer a quick reminder if someone forgets to answer when their name is called.

What to notice

• Calls another child’s name and sends the ball toward them Relationships with Other Children
• Answers “Here!” after hearing their name Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning)

Tips

• The ball may often leave the circle. If constant retrieving interrupts the game, stand in a looser group and keep passing.
• After the visit, talk briefly about what your child played and how it felt to be with the other child.

Developmental benefits

• Social/Emotional: Calling a familiar peer’s name, waiting for a response, and passing the ball gives your child practice following the shared pattern of a turn-taking game.