Have you noticed that your child can use both hands, but seems unsure how to make them work together? That can be a bilateral coordination difficulty. It matters for surprisingly ordinary tasks, such as holding paper while cutting it, tying shoelaces, or using a fork and knife.
Signs of Bilateral Coordination Difficulty
● Struggling to hold paper still while cutting or writing
● Difficulty with activities like catching a ball with both hands
● Avoiding cross-body movements, like reaching across the body to the opposite side
● Trouble with tasks like tying shoelaces, which require both hands working differently at once
Bilateral coordination isn't just about using two hands. It's about the two sides working together, but doing different jobs at the same time.
Why It Matters
Children use bilateral coordination throughout the day without necessarily realizing it. Buttoning clothes, riding a bicycle, swimming, using cutlery, and many school activities all depend on the two sides of the body coordinating with each other.
What Helps
● Try activities where one hand "helps" while the other does the main task, such as holding a bowl while stirring
● Play cross-body games, such as passing a ball from hand to hand behind the back
● Choose simple crafts that require both hands, such as stringing beads while holding the string
If your child regularly struggles with tasks that require both hands to work together, an occupational therapist can assess their coordination and suggest activities aimed at the specific difficulty.