Bilateral integration is a skill that helps kids use both sides of their body together in a coordinated way. This is important for many everyday activities like cutting with scissors, catching a ball, tying shoes, or even riding a bike, where each side of the body needs to work together but sometimes in different ways. In pediatric occupational therapy, we help kids develop this coordination so they can more easily complete tasks that involve both hands, arms, or legs. Initially, children tend to use the hand that is closer to the object or task, but over time they learn to use both sides of their body simultaneously. Bilateral coordination allows kids to engage in tasks like sports, instruments, and using tools. Strengthening bilateral integration skills can improve a child’s confidence in daily activities and help them gain more independence in tasks at home and school.
Activities to Complete at Home:
- Play with balls
- Beading and/or lacing
- Hand clapping games i.e. Miss Mary Mack, Patty Cake, Wheels on the Bus
- Dressing with fasteners i.e. buttons, zippers, laces
- Jumping with two feet together (like a bunny)
- Parachute Games
- Stomp and catch
- Knitting or crocheting
- Jumping Jacks
- Using a rolling pin
- Hop scotch
- Participation in sports
- Biking
- Cutting activities
- Pop beads or Link toys
- Tearing paper
- Origami or other folding paper activities
- Animal walks
- Sharpening pencils and crayons using a manual pencil sharpener
- Construction toys such as Legos or Duplos
