Catching a ball linked to maths and language skills

♦ Children who struggle to catch a ball perform less well in reading, writing and maths, raising the possibility that schools should give extra support to those who lack hand and eye co-ordination.

About 300 youngsters were given tests by researchers at the University of Leeds. The best performers were on average nine months ahead of classmates who were less adept.

While interceptive timing was strongly linked to maths ability, it did not influence reading and writing skills as much. The study, conducted at a school in Bradford that now provides a space for motor skills and coordination, was published in the journal Psychological Science.