Bilateral coordination is the use of both sides of the body simultaneously in a coordinated manner to complete an activity. This requires processing and integration of both hemispheres of the brain. Good bilateral skills indicates that both sides of the brain are communicating and sharing information properly, allowing us to effectively complete motor and functional tasks. Kids use bilateral coordination skills during cutting, running and tying their shoes. Below are different areas we work on to improve bilateral skills.
Symmetrical movements: Refers to using both sides of the body to do the same motion at the same time
Reciprocal movements: Refers to using both sides of the body to do the same motion at alternating times
Dominant hand/non-dominant hand movements: Refers to using both sides of the body at the same time to do 2 different motions
Crossing mid-line: Refers to the ability to spontaneously reach or cross over the mid-line of the body to the opposite side to complete a motor or visual task
Right vs left discrimination: Refers to the awareness of the left and right sides of the body
Symmetrical movement activities
Pull apart and push together wrapper tubes or construction toys with both hands
Pull apart cotton balls and glue on paper to make a picture
Roll playdoh, putty or clay with 2 hands or a rolling pin
Play Zoom Ball
Blow bubbles and reach with both hands to pop them
Penny flipping: line up 2 horizontal rows of pennies, start flipping the pennies with each hand starting at the top working to the bottom
Jump rope or jumping jacks
Throw, catch or roll a ball with both hands
Bounce or push a large ball with 2 hands
Make this fun spinning toy!
Reciprocal movement activities
Ride a tricycle or bicycle
Walk up and down stairs to bring baskets filled with toys, laundry etc. to different rooms
Draw shapes, letters or pictures on the inside of a shirt box, place a coin or bingo chip in the box, hold the box on either side and while tipping the box slightly from side to side, slide the coin/chip to cover an object
Use a shirt box to roll marbles in over paper with paint on it to make a picture
Walking, running, skipping, swimming
Drum with both hands, alternating one at a time
Juggle scarves or rolled up socks
Dominant hand/non-dominant hand activities:
Lacing cards or hole punch a paper plate and lace around the edge
Tear paper or tissue paper and paste on paper to make a picture or mosaic, crumple into balls to make it 3D
Spread peanut butter, butter and or jelly on crackers or toast (hold the cracker or toast still!)
Frost cupcakes or cookies (hold the cupcakes or cookies still!)
Make leaf or coin rubbings
String beads, macaroni, cheerios, fruit loops to make jewelry using pipe cleaners, shoe laces, string, yarn, gimp, etc.
Coloring, writing, drawing (be sure the non-dominant hand is holding down the paper)
Trace stencils (dominant hand draws in the stencil while the other holds it down)
Practice shoe tying
Deal cards and play a card game
Cutting: See our Video demonstration or click on the links below to review proper cutting techniques!
Snip plastic straws then string up the pieces to make a necklace
Snip packing peanuts
Snip playdoh and putty
Snip narrow strips of paper to make fringe or grass to make a picture
Snip edge of index cards, paper plates or cups
Cut 6" strips of colorful paper to make paper chains
Cut out coupons
Draw pictures, shapes, letters or stickers on paper, draw lines in between, then practice cutting
Cut curvy and zigzag lines
Cut out the inside circle of a paper plate or along the edge
Draw triangles, circles and squares on colorful paper then use the shapes to make a picture
Cut up a picture in a magazine or cards to make puzzles or collages
Fold a piece of paper several times and cut out pieces to make snowflakes
Complete a color/cut/paste project
Crossing mid-line activities
Ball or bean bag toss: place containers to the left and to the right and toss from the opposite side
Play matching or sorting games: place objects on the dominant hand side and containers to place them in on the non-dominant hand side
Draw or make figure 8's using paper at an easel or on a wall or with streamers crossing from left and right and right to left
Play Patty Cake or similar hand games
Sweep the floor
Play tennis
While sitting on the floor in a circle pass a balloon, ball or toy with both hands to another person
Play Frisbee or Frisbee golf
Right vs left side activities: Place a sticker or rubber band on one hand as a visual to help them remember one side until they can do it on their own
Use a map for a treasure hunt indoors or outside and emphasize which direction (right or left) you need to go
Play musical instruments and march while calling out "left-right-left-right"
Find items or objects out the right or left side of the car
Play the Hokey Pokey or Simon Says and emphasize right or left side
When reading a book have them read the left side and you the right side