Activity Card #1: Rolling Ball

Foundations of Interaction

Skill We Are Strengthening:

Shared Attention, Taking Turns, Looking Back and Forth, Playing Together

Useful When:

For child who - 

• Still needs support with turn taking
• Engages in shared play only briefly or inconsistently
• Finds it difficult to sustain back-and-forth interactions
• Is more interested in the activity than the person
• Shows moments of connection that are difficult to maintain

Activity: Rolling Ball

A soft ball that can roll easily on the floor or a smooth surface.

Technique: Pause and Wait

• Sit facing each other with a ball.
• Before rolling the ball, pause and wait for the child to look at you or give any signal that they are ready. As soon as they do, acknowledge the signal and roll the ball.
• When the child receives the ball, pause again for a few seconds before continuing. Wait for another look, gesture, sound, smile, word, or attempt to continue the game.
• Once the child signals, encourage the interaction and continue the activity.
• Repeat this simple back-and-forth several times, creating opportunities for shared attention before each turn.
• End the activity while engagement is still high.

Remember: any signal counts — eye contact, gestures, sounds, words, smiles, or attempts to continue the game.

Duration: 

5 mins.

Small Wins To Celebrate:

• A glance before the ball rolls
• Waiting for your turn
• Returning the ball even once
• Looking at you after receiving the ball
• Staying engaged for a few back-and-forth turns

Even one or two of these count.

What to notice: 

After the activity, ask yourself:

• Did my child choose to join the activity?
• Did they need reminders to continue?
• Did they participate without prompting for a short time?
• Did they stay engaged in the back-and-forth interaction?
• Did they try to keep the game going themselves?

When the child begins keeping the game going independently and consistently, the activity has done its job. Consider introducing new activities that create opportunities for interaction.

Reflection:

The rolling ball itself is not the goal. The same idea can be used with catch, bubbles, cars, drawing, or any activity the child enjoys.

The goal is the moment where the child notices both the activity and the person sharing it with them.

Those brief looks, pauses, and back-and-forth turns are often where shared interaction begins.

           © 2026 Aisha's Beacon | Practical interaction ideas inspired by real-world experiences.