Activity Card #2: Basket Ball Toss

Foundations of Interaction

Skills We Are Strengthening:

Shared Attention

Taking Turns

Engagement

Waiting Skills

Activity: Basket Ball Toss

A soft ball + a small bucket\basket.

Duration: 3 - 5 mins\ 1 to 2 times daily.

Try This Technique: Pause and Wait

Place the basket\bucket in front.

1. You throw first "My Turn".
2. Then hand the ball to your child.
3. Pause and wait with an expectant face at your child. 
4. Wait for any signal. 
5. Then say "Your turn! Throw!"
6. Continue for few minutes.
7. If your child immediately continues the game without waiting, pause before your next turn and give them a chance to notice you before continuing.

End while engagement is still high.

Remember: any signal counts (a look, smile, sound, gesture, word, or attempt to continue)

Small Wins To Celebrate:

Child checks in with you before tossing.

Child waits for his\her turn.

Child stays engaged for several tosses

What Not To Do

Do not force eye contact.
Do not keep asking, “Look at me.”
Do not rush the activity.
Do not worry about perfection.

Remember: the goal is shared interaction, not perfect performance.

What To Notice:

After the activity, ask yourself:

Did my child choose to join the activity?
Did they need prompts to continue?
Did they try to keep the game going themselves?

Ready to Level Up? — When your child consistently checks in with you during their turn and waits, then it may be time to introduce a new interaction activity.

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