Popongo is FUN for the entire family. There’s no denying this fact! But we’ll let you in on a little secret that you may not want to share with your thrill-seeking kids quite yet. Popongo is an educational tool that will assist with their development.
While we will cover the educational angle extensively on our blog, we’re beginning with the foundation regarding the benefits of ball games for preschoolers and young children. Read ahead to learn more about why your purchase of Popongo is not just about household entertainment, but an investment in your child’s future too.
3 Developmental Advantages of Ball Games for Young Kids That Make Popongo The Right Game for Your Family
I. Ball Games Improve Hand-Eye Coordination
By definition, hand-eye coordination references the way one's hands and sight work together to be able to do things that require speed and accuracy. Hand-eye coordination is important in fitness related activities, but is also required in everyday tasks such as grasping objects, handwriting (yes, that’s still a thing), gardening, cooking, driving, and working in a wide variety of vocations.
There’s a lot of talk about how video games improve hand-eye coordination. Teenagers love to use that excuse when being told to scale back their game play, but digital screens are no substitute for real life. In reality, video games are 2D (yes, even those purported as being 3D) and don’t offer the same advantages as performing activities in the tangible environment that surrounds us. Research consistently shows that physical ball games promote and sustain improvement in hand-eye coordination in young children:
“In the early childhood stages of development, ball games prove to be a crucial catalyst for improving motor abilities by actively engaging children in various physical movements that promote improved coordination, balance, and spatial awareness” Research Gate, December 2023
II. Balls Games Promote Social Interactivity
Aside from playing ping pong (etc.) against a wall and juggling, ball games are generally played with others. Whether enjoying Popongo with siblings, parents, friends, or backyard BBQ guests, your child will develop a unique set of social skills that differ from the interactions they get at preschool and other classroom type settings. This sort of interpersonal engagement is very important to their development:
“The enjoyment and social engagement that ball games bring provide an invaluable platform for developing socio-emotional skills. Children learn to communicate effectively, negotiate rules, and manage conflict – all of which are skills that are fundamental for successful interaction in their social world.” Research Gate, December 2023
III. Balls Games Promote Cognition and Problem Solving
When a preschooler tosses a ball at a target and it misses its mark, cognitive wheels are put in motion to correct what is keeping them from hitting their literal and figurative goal. They will adjust the force used to throw that ball, and may also alter the way they hold and release it. They may also assess other elements that can impact their ability to hit their mark. For example, if playing outside, adjustments may need to be made to the way the ball is tossed to account for wind. A child may also recognize that they are being distracted by the sights and sounds around them (likely a bothersome sibling!) and consequently learn to concentrate and refocus. All of this promotes cognition and problem solving which will serve them well in all other aspects of their young and budding lives.
Ready to realize the benefits of ball games for your preschooler / young child? Order your Popongo set today and watch them develop faster than you could ever imagine, while kicking some parental butt in the process!