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WHAT IS THE MIDLINE?
Imagine a line that starts from the top of your head and draws straight down to the point between your two feet. This figurative line splits your body into left and right halves and is known as the midline. The term ‘crossing the midline’ depicts the movement of a body part over the midline from one side to the other side of the body to complete a task.
Some children have difficulty with midline crossing.
They don’t automatically cross the middle of their body smoothly for motor tasks. You will see them use their right hand on the right side of the body… and their left hand on the left side of the body. They may pass things from one hand to the other at the center of their body.
Or, it may look like they’re crossing midline, but they actually twist their trunk and/or turn their head. Their core may not be stable. They may have difficulty keeping the head still to move the eyes to either side.
WHY IS CROSSING THE MIDLINE IMPORTANT?
Crossing midline activities encourage communication of the two sides (hemispheres) of the brain. This is VERY important for development and learning!
Midline crossing activities help to make motor movements more efficient. They help with the development of hand dominance and bilateral coordination and balance.
Drawing and writing tasks are easier when kids can automatically cross the midline. They can form letters and numbers properly and write across a page without difficulty. An inability to cross the midline may cause letter and number reversals as well as difficulties writing left to right. The two sides of the brain need to communicate effectively for writing.
Crossing midline activities help eye movements needed for learning tasks such as reading. They help the eyes smoothly move back and forth across text.
If a child’s gross motor skills are not addressed their attention and working memory will be impacted. The child can be too preoccupied coordinating themselves that they are not retaining the information they need in their working memory. Attention and working memory are necessary for completing the more complex activities of daily living such as dressing, cutting, tying shoes or writing (e.g. knowing the sequences of dressing themselves or having enough attention to complete a writing task).
HOW TO CROSS THE MIDLINE
HOW TO CROSS THE MIDLINE
First start with bilateral coordination activities. This involves moving both sides of the body symmetrically such as pushing or pulling objects. For example, completing “head and shoulders, knees and toes” with both hands.
When they have mastered bilateral coordination, begin crossing the midline. For example, have them mirror your movements. Stand in front of them, ask them to copy you and have your hand touch the opposite shoulder, then have your hands touch the opposite hip, etc.
While marching are they able to tap their opposite knee. ie. their right hand on left knee and then opposite.. and then march backwards and complete, or complete with eyes closed?
As coordination progresses, introduce activities that require a strong hand and assistive hand. For example, using scissors with a dominant hand and having the assistive hand move the paper.
Taken from here. << For more activities to support crossing the midline.
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