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As early as the 1840s, pedagogue Friedrich Fröbel recognised that a ball was a meaningful toy for children which could bring together an adult and a child through shared play. Recent research on today’s parents has shown that children struggle to get enough attention from their parents, who are often primarily focused on their smartphones. 

Adding a small ball to the maternity package serves to remind parents with a newborn how crucial it is that they give time to their baby and encourage them to interact with an adult. 

Since a colourful ball catches a baby’s attention, it makes an excellent toy for initiating interaction.

In his work, Fröbel observed through children’s play how a ball can stimulate a child’s cognitive development. A ball is a solid, simple, symmetrical object that, through its volume, shape, size, colour, material, sound and invisible centre of gravity, engages all the senses. A ball can be stationary or in motion, and it fosters creativity with how it enables people of all ages to come up with various modes of play and games. 

When learning to move, babies need space and freedom

In 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published recommendations for young children’s physical activity. According to these recommendations, babies should play on the floor and lie prone for at least 30 minutes a day. The recommendations were considered a necessary way to remind all adults about the fact that car seats, rockers, prams and push chairs restrict a child’s physical activity.

An interesting ball on the floor can inspire a baby to move and reach for it.

In doing so, the baby’s muscles develop, and they get practice controlling their body posture and movements.Once the baby’s muscles and balance for maintaining posture have developed enough, the baby learns to sit. At this point, the child and adult can begin to play with the ball together by, for example, rolling it between them. 

Handling a ball teaches general object-handling skills, as well as gross motor skills. The development of gross motor skills employs large muscles and facilitates the later development of fine motor skills. In addition to developing motor skills, a ball increases children’s physical activity almost imperceptibly, as it motivates them to move and play games. Performing tricks and playing with a ball also bring joy and fun to people of all ages.

All of these benefits confirm that a ball is a welcome addition to the maternity package. 

For parents, it is a tool to support the child’s development in a holistic way. 

For a child, the meaning of a ball is wide-ranging. In addition to supporting physical and motor development, it also contributes to their mental, social and cognitive growth.

Arja Sääkslahti is Associate Professor of Sport Pedagogy at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥.