Bilateral Coordination: Making it Fun for Kids!
When it comes to kids and coordination, it can be easy to focus on activities that use just one hand or one side of the body. But did you know that there's a whole other skill that's just as important for your child's development? It's called bilateral coordination, and it's all about using both sides of the body together in a coordinated way.
Think about it - many childhood and school activities require your child to use both hands together well. From writing and cutting with scissors to playing catch and climbing the monkey bars, bilateral coordination is an essential skill for kids to master.
But what if your child is still a little delayed in developing their bilateral coordination skills? They may prefer to use one hand alone rather than both hands together, and they may appear awkward or clumsy in some gross and fine motor activities. If this sounds familiar, don't worry - there are plenty of fun and engaging activities that can help your child build their bilateral coordination skills.
Indoor Activities
Playdoh: Roll, squash, mould, and use cutters to create fun shapes and designs. You can even use a rolling pin to flatten out the dough and work on both hands together.
Building with Lego, Duplo, and other construction toys: These types of toys are perfect for encouraging kids to use both hands together to build and create.
Cooking activities: Mixing, measuring, sifting, kneading, and rolling are all great ways to work on bilateral coordination while making delicious treats.
Art and craft activities: Making cards, hats, and books are fun ways to use both hands together to create something unique. Try using stickers, sticky tape, scissors, glue, paper, and cardboard to encourage the use of both hands.
Outdoor Activities
Sand play: Digging, pouring, mixing, and building castles are all great ways to work on bilateral coordination in the great outdoors.
Playground: Climbing a ladder or climbing frame, swinging, and using the seesaw are all activities that require the use of both hands and feet.
Ball games: Throwing, catching, bouncing, and aiming at targets are all fun ways to work on bilateral coordination while playing with a ball.
Finger painting: Using both hands together with finger paint or shaving cream to create one of a kind masterpieces.
Remember that every child is different, and it may take some trial and error to find activities that work best for your child. But with a little patience and plenty of fun, your child will be a bilateral coordination pro in no time!"
