Bilateral Integration Activities

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You can use these simple bilateral integration activities at home to help develop your child's coordination skills!

Studies have shown that there is a correlation between bilateral coordination skills and academic performance. Children who were given breaks that involved bilateral movements were more focused on their academic work after the break. Math and reading skills have also been linked to good bilateral integration abilities. (See references)

Your child will usually learn to coordinate the use of the arms before the use of the legs, and obviously, the hardest thing is to use the arms and legs together in a coordinated way at the same time (such as jumping jacks). So keep that in mind as you try the following activities!

Most importantly, have fun with your child!

simple activities you can do at home to help your child develop bilateral coordination skills

The activities on this page are intended to support your child's normal development. If you are at all concerned about your child's skills, please consult your health professional! The information on this page is not intended to take the place of an occupational therapy evaluation and treatment!

Simple Symmetrical Activities

Rolling out dough with a rolling pin is a lovely, symmetrical bilateral activity.

Get your child involved in rolling out cookie dough, bread dough or playdough!


rolling out dough with a rolling pin is a good symmetrical bilateral activity for kidsRolling out dough

Find some maracas or musical shakers like these ones on Amazon#Ad.

Have your child move them in time to music. Try moving them symmetrically (up and down at the same time) or reciprocally (one hand then the other).


Shaking maracas is a fun bilateral integration activity for kidsShaking maracas

Getting legs to move together is hard work. Start by having your child jump over a line and back again, one jump at a time.

Increase the number of jumps as your child improves at keeping feet together!


jumping over a line with both feet together is good bilateral activity for kidsJumping over a line

A Zoom Ball is an awesome toy! Your child needs to open and close the arms symmetrically, to make the ball "zoom" back and forth on the string. One of my favorite bilateral toys!

Amazon usually stock Zoom Balls#Ad - this makes a great toy for outdoors in summer or indoors in winter!

Using a zoom ball for bilateral integration skillsUsing a zoom ball

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Simple Reciprocal Activities

Pulling hand over hand on a rope is a good way to get the hands working rhythmically together.

You can often find these rope ramps at local parks and play centers.


pulling hand over hand on a rope is a good bilateral integration activityPulling hand over hand on a rope

Have you tried "cooperative" Stretchy Bands like these#Ad?

When a group of kids are making the stretchy band move around in a circle, hand over hand, they are getting a good rhythmical bilateral workout.


pulling hand over hand with a cooperative stretchy band in a circle is a good bilateral integration activityPulling hand over hand in a circle

Encourage your child to roll large balls of playdough between two hands to make smooth balls.

Try some of my other playdough ideas to boost bilateral coordination skills.


rolling balls of playdough is a good bilateral coordination activityRolling playdough

Creeping (crawling) is another great reciprocal activity - have your child creep across the floor to collect items you put out, or chase them around the floor yourself!

Both sides of the body work in a coordinated way when crawling or creepingCreeping / Crawling

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Incorporate Lots of Movement!

The vestibular system (which is situated in the inner ear and helps the brain to process movement information) plays a vital role in a child's physical development.

Children who struggle to process movement information from their vestibular systems may also struggle with bilateral integration skills.

For this reason, occupational therapists who use sensory integration techniques may include specific movement activities in their therapy sessions to stimulate the vestibular system before carrying out activities to boost bilateral coordination skills.

Jumping on a trampoline is a good vestibular activity for kids and teensJumping
Rolling across the grass is a good vestibular activity for kids and teensRolling

At home, you can give your child's vestibular system a boost by having your child jump on a trampoline, roll on the grass, touch his/her toes, use a swing or do somersaults. You can do these movement activities before or during the bilateral activities.

I have a few ideas for simple vestibular activities you can do in the classroom over here.

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Download My E-Book Packed With Bilateral Activities!

If you want to support your child's development of this vital skill, then try my printable download full of Bilateral Coordination Activities!

This 55 page resource contains loads of activities to help your child - with photos and instructions for each activity!

View my Bilateral Coordination E-Book now!

This resource is included in some great bundle deals!

bilateral coordination activities - a printable resource full of photographed activities and for kidsBilateral Activities Resource!

Thanks for visiting!

I hope you found the information to be helpful to you, and that you are inspired by how easy it can be to help your child develop bilateral integration skills!

Looking for more information about Bilateral Integration and what to look out for if your child is struggling? Pop on over and read my Bilateral Coordination page of helpful info.

Why not sign up for my occasional newsletter to keep in touch with new activities and updated pages on my site?

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Pages Related to Bilateral Integration Activities

Here are some related pages on my site that may help you with more bilateral activity ideas:

What is bilateral coordination / bilateral integration? Info and tips for parents and teachers!Bilateral Coordination Info
Playdough activities for bilateral coordinationBilateral Playdough Ideas
All about crossing the midlineAll About Crossing The Midline
bilateral activities you can do in the kitchen with your kidsBilateral Activities in Baking

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References

Buchele Harris, H.; Cortina, K.; Templin, T.; Colabianchi, N. and Chen, W. (2018). Impact of Coordinated-Bilateral Physical Activities on Attention and Concentration in School-Aged Children. BioMed Research International. 2018. 1-7. https://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/2539748

Getchell, N. (2006). Age and task-related differences in timing stability, consistency, and natural frequency of children's rhythmic, motor coordination. Developmental Psychobiology. 48. 675-85. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dev.20186.

Lane, S.; Mailloux, Z.; Schoen, S.; Bundy, A.; May-Benson, T.; Parham, L.; Roley, S. and Schaaf, R. (2019). Neural Foundations of Ayres Sensory Integration®. Brain Sciences. 9. 153. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9070153.

Mailloux, Z.; Mulligan, S.; Smith Roley, S.; Blanche, E.; Cermak, S.; Coleman, G.G.; Bodison, S.; Lane, C.J. (2011). Verification and Clarification of Patterns of Sensory Integrative Dysfunction. AJOT. Vol.65 (2). https://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2011.000752

Pacheco, S.; Gabbard, C.;  Ries, L. and Bobbio, T. (2016). Relationship Between Interlimb Coordination and Academic Performance In Elementary School Children. Pediatrics International. 58. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ped.12972

Wong, T.P.S.;  Leung, E.Y.W.;  Poon, C.Y.C.;  Leung, C.Y.F. and Lau, B.P.H. (2013). Balance performance in children with unilateral and bilateral severe-to-profound-grade hearing impairment. Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal. 31. 81–87. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hkpj.2013.07.001

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