When I teach fitness classes for children with Down Syndrome, I like to end them with some type of ball activity. Like other children, these children enjoy playing with them, it builds hand/foot/eye coordination, teaches sports skills, and encourages a great deal of activity. I end the class with ball activities because this tends to be the period of time where one loses control of the children.
One of the ball activities that I like to rotate in involves floor hockey. This activity requires some equipment to perform:
- Mini hockey sticks. These are small, plastic, and tend to cost around $4-5 each. I like these sticks because they are pretty durable and they are very easy for the children to manipulate. See below for an example.
- Medium-sized balls. Ideally the ball should be large enough that it is easy to see, durable enough to take a good whack from the hockey stick, but light enough that the child can make it move when he or she hits it.
- The right playing surface. This activity requires a floor that will allow the ball to travel, that is nonslip for children running on it, and one that won’t be damaged by the activity. It can be performed on carpet, but that can make it more difficult for the ball to travel. I prefer a sports court, hard wood floor, or even a tile hallway.
- An optional goal. Having a target for the ball is not necessary, but it adds some focus and direction to the activity. I like to use a portable soccer goal for this activity (see below for an example).
With a focus on three to ten year-old children, I have not organized this into a “sport” yet. By that I mean there are no teams. I will set up several goals, hand out the hockey sticks and balls, demonstrate how to hit the ball with the stick, then turn them loose.
I encourage them to chase the ball after they hit it. Sometimes I redirect them by hitting or kicking the ball to keep them moving and I give them lots of encouragement when they make a goal. As the kids mature, we’ll be able to organize this activity a little more.