Bilateral Coordination

 
 
 

What is bilateral Coordination?
When should we see Bilateral coordination develop?

Bilateral coordination is the ability to use both sides of the body at the same time in a controlled and organized manner. This can mean three different things:

using both sides to do the same thing (like using a rolling pin to push out dough) OR
using alternating movements (like walking) OR
using different movements on each side (like cutting with scissors and controlling the paper with the other hand).

Children learn to use both sides of their bodies in stages.  given two objects, they may bang them together.  Later they learn that they can keep one hand still and while the other moves.  Eventually they achieve the higher level skill of being able to use both hands at the same time but each doing hand and something different, such as holding a book with one Children turning pages with the other.turning pages with the other.

Why is bilateral coordination important?

When we see good bilateral coordination, we know that both sides of the brain are communicating; they’re sharing information with each other.  Good bilateral coordination allows the hands and feet to work well together which is important for so many daily activities: walking, climbing stairs, playing musical instruments, stirring food in a bowl and more.

Poor coordination of both sides of the body may result in difficulty controlling one hand while the other hands doing something else.  Two handed, or footed, tasks would be challenging and difficult to accomplish.  

 

How can I help with bilateral coordination at home?

Simple Symmetrical Activities

  • Blow bubbles and reach with both hands to pop them

  • Pull cotton balls apart, glue on paper to make a picture

  • Tear strips of paper, paste on paper to make a collage

  • Squeeze, push and pull on clay, putty, play dough or modeling foam

  • Pull apart construction toys (Duplos, Legos) with both hands

  • Bounce a large ball with 2 hands, throw or push a ball with 2 hands

Alternating movements

  • Drum or Bongos: with both hands one at a time (reciprocally); try to imitate a rhythm

  • Ride a tricycle or bicycle

  • Air biking: while on your back, raise your feet up toward the ceiling and pretend you're pedaling a bike

  • Walking, running, skipping, swimming

  • Juggle scarves

Activities that require different skill sets for each hand

  • Cut out all types of things with scissors: cut straws, dough or putty, packing peanuts

  • Spread peanut butter, or any spread on crackers, frost cookies; be sure to hold the cracker or cookie still

  • String beads to make jewelry

  • Trace around stencils: the helper hand holds the stencil down firmly while the other draws around the stencil

Body Awareness activities

  • Play Simon Says, or do The Hokey Pokey

  • Wheelbarrow walking

  • Crawl through an obstacle course on all fours: forward, backward, sideways or change direction on command.

  • Animal Walks