Ball Tracker for the Development of Equilibrium

At first the child will sit in front of the ball tracker and place the balls just on the first or lowest rod. Gradually she will want to reach the top as she sees other children, or her parents doing. This encourages her to pull up and stand in order to do the work.

This important piece of material has been used in Montessori infant communities for many years. The large base, ten by fifteen inches, provides stability as the child reaches for the higher ramps. Placed in the hole on the top, the soft rubber ball moves slowly enough for the child to follow it, or track it, with her eyes. Tracking movements of the eyes are important for later reading and writing. This fascinating activity, repeated over and over by the child, has a calming and satisfying effect.

Michael Olaf