Why is it important for children to be able to cross over their midline?

Question

Necessary skills include body awareness; control and use of both sides of the body.

Observable difficulties include hand switching in writing or cutting.

Activities to promote crossing the body's midline include drawing large figure eights with pencil, hand or feet

on paper, sand or in the air.

Answer 1

Crossing the midline is essential to the development of using both sides of the body together. This is significant in reading and writing since it fosters communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. It also assists in the development of left or right handedness. Research has shown that children who may be struggling in reading also struggle with this balance and coordination.