Crossing midline
Crossing the midline means using part of one side of the body in the space of the other part. Having efficient bilateral coordination enables both feet or both hands to work together which allows you to play and work with fluid body movements. Bilateral coordination and crossing the body’s midline also support a child’s development of fine motor skills, ability to use tools and to visually track a moving object.
Here are some ideas to help develop crossing midline:
- play Simon Says - incorporate postures that cross the midline of the body, for example right hand on left knee
- draw a road on a large piece of paper, ask the child to sit on hands and knees whilst driving a car over this road. Make sure the child stays in one place so the arm has to cross the body midline
- sit with legs out in front and have puzzle pieces either side of legs. Use opposite arm to pick up pieces and put puzzle together between legs
- play clapping games with a partner. Cross midline when clapping, for example right hand to right hand then left hand to left hand. Make up rhymes if you can't remember any!