Visual Motor Learning - Ball on Back
Purpose: To develop smooth ocular pursuit ability under minimal postural demands.
Apparatus: Ball on string from ceiling
Method:
1. Have child lie on the floor face upward.
- Suspend a ball on a string about 2 feet above the child's face and slowly rotate the ball while he follows it with his eyes.
- Start with small circles and gradually increase the size of the circle.
- Alternate clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations.
- Child should not move his head.
- If possible, change distance of ball from eyes by slowly raising and lowering the ball while it swings.
- Have child point at the ball and feel that his arm is leading the ball.
Aspects to be emphasized:
- Smooth following of the ball with eyes.
- Recognized the feeling in the arm of leading the ball, even though not in contact with it.
