Virtual Games of Catch in How to play

Virtual Games of Catch in How to play them and why. Teletherapy Joel Shaul © 2020 Joel Shaul

Uses of Virtual Catch in Teletherapy and Remote Teaching Many children find it difficult to feel connected with their teacher or therapist through computer screens. I designed this set of activities to strengthen ties between professionals and children and between children. In our offices and classrooms, many of us play games of catch with children for sensory breaks, to encourage turn-taking and other reasons. By pretending to throw an imaginary ball back and forth to one another on screen, we can extend these throwing activities into teletherapy – and even make them better. There are many ways to carry out these activities. I have thought of some. If you think of others, I would appreciate it if you could let me know about them, through the contact form on this website. Joel Shaul © 2020 Joel Shaul

Steps to Playing Virtual Catch: 1 Make up your own pretend ball. Or select one of these for your invisible game of catch. Nerf. Baseball. Tennis. Magic. Soccer. Basketball. Playground. Beach. © 2020 Joel Shaul

2 Select one other player… …or many players. © 2020 Joel Shaul

3 Hold your hands as if you are really holding a ball. Tell the other person to hold up their own hands in order to catch it when you “throw” it! © 2020 Joel Shaul

4 Say the person’s name. Look at their eyes before you throw. Anna, catch it! Okay! © 2020 Joel Shaul

5 When the other person “catches” it, they throw back to you – or to the next person if there are more people playing. Now I got it! Get ready to catch my throw! © 2020 Joel Shaul

6 Make up interesting throws. Make up ridiculous throws & fancy catches. Examples: *Spin *Fast *Bounce off your head *Slow motion *Bounce *Catch behind your back. © 2020 Joel Shaul

7 Make up ways to throw The Magic Ball. © 2020 Joel Shaul

The Magic Ball can do things like: *Travel around the world before going to the other person *Travel back and forward in time *Change shape, color and temperature *Turn into a creature © 2020 Joel Shaul

8 Create activities with the Emotion Balls. © 2020 Joel Shaul

One example. Tell about a time you felt like this ball! When did you ever feel like this? © 2020 Joel Shaul

Have fun! Joel Shaul © 2020 Joel Shaul