Product Overview
A beautifully simple first physics lesson for infants and pre-toddlers. The child places a ball at the top of the track, releases it, and watches it travel down—sometimes disappearing briefly at the end before reappearing. That little moment does big developmental work: it strengthens visual tracking for later reading, builds an early sense of cause-and-effect, and nurtures object permanence. Recommended for roughly 11–14 months (Infant to Pre-Toddler).
What it is
A sturdy ramp designed for one clear action: place the ball at the top and follow it with the eyes as it rolls to the bottom. The design intentionally creates a short “now you see it, now you don’t” moment at the end of the path, inviting the child to anticipate the ball’s return.
Why it’s useful (at home or in the classroom)
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Reading readiness through eye tracking. Smooth pursuit eye movements—practiced while following the rolling ball—are foundational for later left-to-right tracking in reading.
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Early logic and prediction. Each release teaches that actions have outcomes (cause → effect) and that objects continue to exist even when briefly out of sight (object permanence).
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Concentration & repetition. The material invites repeated, self-directed practice, extending attention span in very young children.
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Fine motor control. Placing and releasing the ball refines hand control and coordination.
Direct Aim
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Develop smooth visual tracking (pursuit) to support later reading.
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Experience cause-and-effect by releasing the ball and observing its motion.
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Strengthen object permanence as the ball briefly disappears and reappears.
Indirect Aim
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Build concentration, anticipation, and early problem-solving.
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Support hand–eye coordination and controlled release.
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Introduce early vocabulary and concepts (top/bottom, fast/slow, roll/stop).
How to present
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Place the tracker at the child’s level.
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Silently model: place one ball at the top, release, and follow with your eyes.
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Invite the child to try. Step back and allow repetition.
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Rotate in a small basket of balls for continued interest (pairs naturally with a Basket with Balls or Imbucare Box with Knit Ball for related hand-transfer work).
Ages: Infant (0–12 mos) to Pre-Toddler (12–18 mos), with the core sweet spot around 11–14 months.
