Batting Ball: Infant Movement
A knitted ball with a bell hidden inside it, hung within an infant's reach so that a swinging arm meets something and gets an answer. Batting comes before grasping: the hand is still mostly closed and the arm moves in whole sweeps, and a target that rings when it is struck is what turns those sweeps from random into aimed. Knitting keeps it light enough to move on contact. The Baby Gym mobile stand is ordered separately.
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'”
The Batting Ball addresses the infant's fundamental need for movement exploration through its knitted yarn construction and accessible loop handle.
- Develops palmer and pincer grasp through varied gripping of yarn texture
- Strengthens visual tracking as eyes follow the ball's movement path
- Builds cause-and-effect understanding through throwing and rolling actions
- Enhances bilateral coordination when passing between hands
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When infants grasp this textured sphere, they experience immediate sensory feedback that strengthens neural pathways between touch and movement. The batting ball's soft surface invites repeated throwing and rolling actions, allowing young children to discover cause and effect through their own physical experiments. Its lightweight design ensures toddlers can independently carry the ball using the attached loop, fostering autonomy in choosing when and where to engage with movement activities. The knitted texture provides essential tactile variation that helps infants distinguish between different surfaces and pressures. By offering this batting ball during the sensitive period for movement refinement, we honor the child's inner drive to coordinate hand movements with visual tracking. The loop handle transforms a simple sphere into an accessible tool that even the youngest children can manipulate successfully, building confidence through achievable physical challenges.
How to present it
Follow the Montessori method of presentation for optimal child development.
Place the batting ball on a low shelf or in a basket at the child's eye level. Ensure 3-4 feet of clear floor space for movement activities.
- 1
For infants (6-12 months): Sit with the child and gently roll the ball toward them, allowing them to grasp the textured surface
Start with slow, predictable movements to help the child anticipate the ball's path - 2
For mobile infants (9-15 months): Hang the ball by its loop at the child's shoulder height for batting practice
Adjust height so the child can hit the ball with an open palm without straining - 3
For toddlers (12-36 months): Demonstrate throwing the ball into a basket or rolling it down a ramp
Use the loop handle to show how to carry the ball to different locations
Every Child Is a Little Creator
Heritage
Since 1929
Brands used by
schools worldwide
European brands
AMI
Endorsed
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