Lets Play Crossing the Midline – Child Development
Lets Play Crossing the Midline - Child Development
Teachers, Doctors and other professionals sometimes talk about "crossing the midline". The midline is an invisible line that runs from head to toe. The midline separates the left and right halves of the body. Crossing the midline is when a body part, like a hand or foot, moves from one side of the body to the other.
What does crossing the midline look like?
When a child spontaneously dances with a ribbon or scarf, their arms and ribbon ’cross the midline’. Their feet and legs may cross the midline through the movement as well. Clapping games performed with a partner can ‘cross the midline’, depending on the action.
When a child can proficiently cross the midline they can:
- draw a horizontal line across a page without switching hands
- sit on the floor with their legs crossed
- use their right hand to do an activity on the left hand side of their body.
What do midline delays look like?
A child who struggles to cross the midline may contort their body in awkward positions to avoid it. Children who stand their bodies up, lean over their desk and twist their body in order to write a sentence is a good example.
Crossing the body’s mid-line is an important developmental skill used for various everyday activities like writing, reading, playing sport and getting dressed. When a child has difficulty crossing the midline it may mean that when they start school, learning can be more difficult.
Fun ways to encourage kids to cross the midline
Thank you to Rosemary Williams from Family Chiropractic Bundaberg for these suggested activities that encourage crossing the midline.
CLAPPING GAMES
A great first clapping game is this version of Pease Porridge Hot from Integrated Learning Strategies.
- Sitting across from your child, touch or clap your left hand to their left hand, and then touch your right hand to their right hand. Sing a simple song such as A RAM SAM SAM, alternating clapping hands with each word
- Place red and blue ribbon around you and your child’s left and right wrists. Play with your child directing which colour hand to clap together.
DANCING GAMES
- Find a variety of colourful scarves, hankies or ribbons and put on your favourite music. Move with the music, holding onto a piece of fabric. Invite your child to choose a ribbon or scarf and join in too
- Take a look at this awesome mirror game over at Sharin' with Sharron
BALL GAMES
- Playing passing games. Sitting in a circle, pass the ball from one child to the next.
- Play Simon Says using a ball. Sitting on the floor, each child holds a ball. Use the ball to touch the different body parts said. Include body parts such as right leg and left ear.
This blog has been written as one in a series of articles aimed a increasing the knowledge and skills of parents and early childhood educators within the Wide Bay Region and is part of the Moving Smart Community Project.
