{"id":"4bc22fbd4cadacdb4e256399d3d049be","slug":"why-does-my-3-year-old-throw-a-ball-underhand-but-cant-throw-overhand-like-his-preschool-classmates","question":"Why does my 3-year-old throw a ball underhand but can't throw overhand like his preschool classmates?","answer":"Throwing overhand is a skill that develops over time, and your 3-year-old is right on track. The research shows that basic movement skills like throwing emerge gradually during the preschool years, and there's real variation in when and how quickly children master them—it genuinely does differ from kid to kid and depends on how much practice they get.\n\nAt three, many children are still building the coordination, arm strength, and body awareness that overhand throwing requires. Underhand throws are developmentally simpler and often come first. The good news is that the more your son practices throwing in everyday play—whether that's tossing a ball back and forth, throwing at targets, or just playing catch—the faster those skills develop. And once he gets comfortable with throwing, research shows he'll likely want to play more and stay more active overall. No structured lessons needed; just regular, playful practice builds both the skill and his confidence. Give it time and keep the play going.","sources":"[{\"pmid\":\"32438736\",\"title\":\"Relationship between Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Activity in Preschool-Aged Children: A Systematic Review.\",\"journal\":\"International journal of environmental research and public health\",\"year\":\"2020\",\"url\":\"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32438736/\",\"score\":0.79}]","thread_json":null,"topic":"motor-development","view_count":0,"created_at":"2026-10-06T23:00:49.020Z"}