Kitty Catches the Yarn Ball

In pairs, one child is Grandma rolling the yarn ball (the ball) and the other is a kitten on all fours who catches it with their paws before it gets away. It works on receiving rolling balls through motivating pretend play.

How to play

1. Tell the story: Grandma is knitting and her playful kitten wants the yarn ball; make pairs (2 min).
2. Grandma, sitting down, slowly rolls the ball toward the kitten, who waits on all fours and stops it with their "paws" (3 min).
3. The kitten rolls the yarn ball back with their head or hands and meows happily (3 min).
4. Grandma rolls the yarn a bit to one side and the kitten moves to catch it; then switch roles (3 min).
5. The kittens get tired, stretch like cats and curl up into a ball to sleep next to their yarn (2 min).

Rules

• Grandma rolls the yarn slowly along the floor.
• The kitten stops it with hands, not feet.
• Kittens don't scratch or push.
• Switch roles when the teacher meows.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the kitten can sit on the floor or in a chair with a table in front and catch the yarn on the table.
• Visual impairment: use a yarn ball with a bell, and Grandma says "Here it comes!" as she rolls it.
• Autism: give each pair picture cards of Grandma and the kitten so the child always knows their role.

Learning goals

• Receive and stop rolling balls.
• Move toward the path of the ball.
• Enjoy pretend play with a partner.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft balls: 13

Teacher tip

If you play indoors, push tables aside and put down mats or rugs for knees. Small yarn or foam balls make perfect yarn balls; never use marbles or hard balls.

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