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Cross Lateral Movements in Kindergarten

Cross-lateral movements are important to brain development. The right side of the brain controls movement of the right side of the body and vice versa for the left side. Cross-lateral movements require both sides of the brain to work together, developing communication between the two lobes of the brain. Kindergarten activities often include cross-lateral movements.

  1. Brain Development

    • The corpus callosum is the structure that connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Nerve pathways travel through this structure that allow communication to travel back and forth. Cross-lateral movements stimulate the development of the corpus callosum by requiring both sides of the brain to work together. This is important for later development of other skills, such as writing and reading, that require the visual system to cross midline as well.

    Cross-Lateral Movement

    • The midline of the body separates the right and left halves of the body. Cross-lateral movement occurs when part of the left side of the body moves into the space occupied by the right side of the body, and vice versa. For example, the left arm reaches across the body to the right shoulder. Cross-lateral movement also involves simultaneous movement of both sides of the body, in opposite directions. Crawling is one of the earliest cross-lateral movements to develop.

    Classroom Activities

    • Children in kindergarten typically enjoy movement. Cross-lateral activities can easily be integrated into learning programs for this age group. Rhyming games like "Pat-a-Cake" incorporate cross-lateral movement of the hands. Songs like "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" incorporate motions that require the hands to move simultaneously in opposite directions. Have children walk on a balance beam or along a piece of tape on the floor. Develop obstacle courses that include crawling through a tunnel.

    Home Activities

    • Parents can facilitate brain development at home using cross-lateral movement patterns with their kindergarten-age children. Take a walk -- the arms and legs move in opposite directions as part of a normal gait pattern. Encourage your children to climb trees. Explore different playground equipment. Play tag and chase to encourage running. Fingerpaint with both hands at the same time. Bury objects in sand and have the children dig for them.

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