Crossing the Midline
Crossing the midline is when one hand moves over to the other side of the body to work there. Before a child is able to do this, they will tend to use their left hand to do things on the left side of their body and their right hand to do things on the right side of their body.
Crossing the midline requires the use of both sides of the brain working together to coordinate complex movement. The ability to cross the midline influences everything from putting on socks and shoes to playing sports to academic skill such as reading and writing. (You may wonder how it can affect something such as reading, but if children have difficulty visually tracking from one side to the other then it can delay their ability to read.)
Babies will begin to cross the midline as soon as they start reaching for things, and this skill continues to develop until they are about 8 or 9 years old.
Signs that your child may have problems crossing the midline:
Swapping hands when doing tasks such as writing, drawing, painting or colouring.
Delayed hand dominance resulting in the use of the left hand for activities on the left side of the body and right hand for activities on the right side of the body.
Having difficulty visually tracking and object from one side of the body to the other.
Rotating the trunk of their bodies when reaching for things rather than across the midline.
Having difficulty coordinating gross motor patterns such as crawling, skipping and star jumps.
Using different feet to kick a ball.
Things you can do to encourage your baby to cross the midline:
Baby gyms with hanging objects are great for encouraging reaching.
Lay your baby on their back and help them to use their hands to reach the opposite foot.
Holding a rattle or toy slightly off centre so your baby needs to cross the midline to reach.
During tummy time or while seated, scatter toys around in an arc in front of them to encourage them to reach for both sides.
Self-feeding encourages crossing the midline as this happens spontaneously when one hand is already holding food and they use the other hand to reach for things.
Activities to help improve crossing the midline in older children:
Crafting – threading activities, cutting, pasting and folding paper
Playing Twister
Playing Simon says and asking them to do motions that require crossing the midline.
Placing stickers on one side of the body and encouraging your child to remove them with the other hand.
Incorporating self-care activities that require crossing the midline such as putting on socks and shoes and brushing hair.