# How can I work on Kicking Ball with my child at home?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-kicking-ball-with-my-child-at-home
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Kicking a ball blends balance, timing and coordination. Practise at home with a large, soft, lightly inflated ball: start with foot-to-ball taps, then stationary kicks while holding your hand, then add a target and finally a rolling ball. Keep sessions short, playful and praise-rich.

*Every wobbly first kick is a small celebration of balance, planning and joy rolled into one — and your living room is the perfect practice ground.*

## In short
Kicking a ball is a big-step motor skill that blends balance on one leg, timing and coordination. You can build it at home with a large, lightweight ball, lots of praise, and short playful sessions — most children begin kicking from a stationary stand around 18–24 months and grow steadier through the third year. Keep it fun, follow your child's lead, and there is no rush.

## How to practise at home
**Start with the right ball.** A large (size 4–5), soft, lightly inflated ball is easiest to make contact with. A slightly under-inflated ball rolls slower and is more forgiving.

**Build it in steps:**
- **Step on it first** — let your child simply stand and tap the ball with a foot while holding your hand. This teaches the feeling of foot-to-ball contact.
- **Stationary kick** — place the ball still, just ahead of one foot. Model the kick yourself, then cheer the first contact even if it's a tiny nudge.
- **Hold for balance** — let them hold your hand or a chair at first; kicking needs them to balance on one leg for a moment.
- **Add a target** — kick towards a parent, a cardboard-box "goal", or to knock down a light skittle. Targets make it purposeful and joyful.
- **Roll and kick** — once stationary kicks are easy, slowly roll the ball towards them to introduce timing.

**Keep sessions short and warm** — 5–10 minutes of laughter beats a long, frustrating drill. Demonstrate, then let them try; describe what they do ("big kick!") to build the link between action and word.

## Gentle pointers
Kicking draws on whole-body strength, single-leg balance and motor planning, so progress is gradual and uneven — that is normal. If your child cannot stand briefly on one foot, tires very quickly, strongly avoids using one leg, or shows no interest in any large-motor play well into the third year, it's worth a relaxed developmental check rather than waiting.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — home practice is for play and connection, never self-diagnosis. If you'd like guided support, our [occupational therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/best-occupational-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) team can help build [kicking and other gross-motor skills](/kicking-ball) through structured, playful sessions. Across 70+ centres and 25 million+ therapy sessions, we partner with families to make every milestone feel reachable.

## Trusted sources
Guided by CDC developmental milestone resources, the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren guidance on active play, and WHO nurturing-care principles for early movement and learning.

**Next step —** if you'd like a clear picture of your child's motor strengths, book a developmental assessment with our team on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- CDC developmental milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP HealthyChildren on active play: https://www.healthychildren.org
- WHO Nurturing Care Framework: https://nurturing-care.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Motor: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/motor
- Find Activities: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/find_activities
- Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment

## Related question paths

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- How to Work on Kicking a Ball at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-kicking-a-ball-with-my-child-at-home
- How to Practise Kicking a Ball Towards a Target at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-kicking-a-ball-towards-a-with-my-child-at-home
- How can I work on Ball Kicking with my child at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-ball-kicking-with-my-child-at-home
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- How to Work on Ball Kicking With Your Child at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-ball-kicking-and-with-my-child-at-home