Bilateral Activities: Strengthening the Brain Through Movement
Bilateral activities are engaging tasks that play a crucial role in brain development and coordination. These activities involve using both sides of the body together, either symmetrically or asymmetrically, to support physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.
Why Is Bilateral Coordination Important?
Bilateral coordination enables everyday tasks like tying shoelaces, cutting with scissors, catching a ball, and writing. It relies on the brain’s hemispheres communicating efficiently through the corpus callosum. Engaging in bilateral activities strengthens these pathways, improving physical coordination, problem-solving, attention, and memory.
The Science Behind Bilateral Activities
Research shows that bilateral movements activate multiple brain regions, fostering neural plasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and form new connections. These activities also enhance cognitive flexibility and executive functioning, helping with information processing, task-switching, and emotional regulation.
Examples of Bilateral Activities
Crawling: Promotes brain integration and prepares for complex tasks.
Playing Catch: Enhances hand-eye coordination and dual-arm use.
Cutting with Scissors: Develops fine motor skills and coordination.
Dancing: Improves rhythm, agility, and bilateral coordination.
Yoga Poses: Engages both hemispheres for focus and balance.
Clapping Games: Combines rhythm and movement for synchronization.
Encouraging Bilateral Activities
Start with simple tasks and increase complexity gradually.
Use engaging tools like balls, jump ropes, or rhythm sticks.
Incorporate movements into routines, such as swinging arms while walking.
Encourage crossing the midline, like touching the left knee with the right hand.
Provide outdoor play opportunities, like climbing and running.
Strong bilateral skills support academic performance, emotional regulation, and social interactions. For adults, they promote neuroplasticity and overall brain health, making them valuable at any age. Bilateral activities are key to brain and body development. By engaging both sides of the body and brain, they build a foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability.
Incorporating these activities into daily life supports holistic development for children and adults alike.
Jessica Gerling, MSW, SWLC
References
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5994583/
https://childsplaytherapycenter.com/bilateral-coordination-important/