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Bilateral coordination refers to using both sides of the body together in a coordinated way. Most daily activities require skillfully using both sides of the body together, i.e. when brushing your teeth you are holding your toothbrush in one hand and squeezing and applying the toothpaste with the other hand. 

We have included 5 games or activities to help develop this skill. There are three different types of bilateral coordination: 1) Symmetrical, where both sides of the body are doing the same movement i.e. jumping or catching a ball with two hands; 2) Reciprocal movements, where two extremities are used in alternating motions i.e. climbing a ladder or riding a bike and 3) Asymmetrical movements where one hand is used for an activity and the other hand supports the movement, i.e. holding a book still whilst colouring in with the other hand.

Children who have difficulty with bilateral coordination might struggle with activities such as using a knife and fork at the same time, PE activities at school or even using two hands whilst doing up clothes fasteners.

So let's dive into 5 ways to develop this skill:

Jumping Jacks

This is a great activity to develop symmetrical bilateral coordination. To get your child to do a jumping jack, get your child to begin by standing with their legs straight and their arms to their sides. Get them to jump up and spread their feet beyond hip-width apart while bringing their arms above their head, nearly touching. Get them to jump again, lowering their arms and bringing their legs together, and then to repeat the jump.

Pushing Toys Including Carts, Doll Prams or Similar

Pushing a cart, doll pram or any other pushing toy like a toy lawn mower is a great way to practise symmetrical bilateral coordination in infants and toddlers. Pushing a heavy cart, perhaps wooden, also provides proprioceptive feedback to the joints and muscles involved in the action.

Riding a Bike or Trike

Riding a bicycle or trike is excellent for practising reciprocal movements. For children, who are unable to cycle independently use stabilisers or even a stationary bike to practise this motion.

Toy Bricks

Building with Duplo or Lego bricks or similar, is a great way to practise bilateral coordination too. Through the motions of pulling bricks apart, or using the other hand to support whilst building children are developing and practising developing bilateral coordination. Playing with jumbo sized blocks are also great to support development of gross motor skills and bilateral coordination.

Baking

Different steps in baking can be used to develop bilateral coordination. Using a rolling pin to roll out dough is great for practicing symmetrical bilateral coordination, whilst reciprocal and asymmetrical movements are practiced through opening jars and containers, using cookie cutters to press shapes or decorating cookies or cakes.

In conclusion, fostering bilateral coordination in children is crucial for their overall development and the successful execution of daily tasks. The three types of bilateral coordination – symmetrical, reciprocal, and asymmetrical – play a vital role in refining motor skills essential for various activities. Addressing bilateral coordination challenges early on can alleviate difficulties in tasks such as using utensils, participating in physical education activities, or dressing independently. By incorporating these enjoyable activities into a child's routine, parents and educators can contribute significantly to their motor skill development, setting a foundation for lifelong coordination and independence.

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