Learn by Play: Crossing the Midline for Physical Development

Crossing the midline refers to the development of gross motor skills, when children gain the ability to use both sides of the body together in a coordinated manner, particularly crossing the imaginary line down the center of the body. 

It is an important developmental milestone that impacts many areas of a child's creative learning, including cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development.

In this blog post, we'll explore why crossing the midline is important, how it impacts a child's developing minds and how children can learn by play and parents can support this skill at home using Montessori-inspired activities.

Why is Crossing the Midline Important? 

Crossing the midline is essential for many gross motor skills that children utilize every day, such as reading, writing, and even participating in sports. 

Crossing the midline helps children use both sides of their brains at the same time, promoting the development of developing minds and a robust neural network that connects both sides of the body. 

This improves the brain's ability to comprehend information, make decisions, and solve problems.

Crossing the midline also plays a significant role in developing a child's hand-eye coordination, as well as their fine and gross motor skills. 

Engaging in learn by play activities that involve crossing the midline requires children to coordinate the movements of both their arms and legs, helping to develop bilateral coordination and body awareness. 

This is particularly important for activities like riding a bike, swimming and playing sports.

Furthermore, crossing the midline has been found to benefit a child's social-emotional development. 

Children who can coordinate both sides of their bodies do better in group activities, follow directions, and work constructively with others.

How to Support Crossing Midline through Learn by Play Activities at Home

Parents can support their child's development of crossing the midline at home by providing them with opportunities to engage in activities that require this skill. Montessori-inspired activities are particularly effective, as they encourage children to work at their own pace and explore their environment in a hands-on, experiential way.

How can we encourage Crossing the Midline?

There are various Montessori-inspired learn by play activities that can encourage children to cross the midline, including:

First Puzzle Set:

Shape Puzzle games are an excellent way to encourage Crossing the Midline. The First Puzzle Set is a great toy for toddlers and young children. It has large pieces and bright colors that attract children's attention, making it easier for them to stay engaged in the activity.

Scooping Activity:

This is an activity that involves transferring objects from one container to another using a spoon or scoop. It helps develop fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination and encourages Crossing the Midline.

Mopping Activity:

This activity involves mopping the floor with a child-sized mop. It helps develop gross motor skills and encourages Crossing the Midline.

Montessori Lock Box:

The Montessori Lock Box is a great toy for older children who have mastered basic fine motor skills. It involves unlocking different compartments of the box, which requires the use of both hands and promotes Crossing the Midline.

Balance Board:

The Balance Board is a toy that can be used to encourage physical development and cross the midline. It involves standing on a board and balancing oneself while moving in different directions, which requires coordination between both sides of the body.

Finally, crossing the midline is a necessary skill for general physical and cognitive development. 

By including learn by play activities that encourage Crossing the Midline, we may help children develop critical skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. 

With toys like the First Puzzle Set, the Scooping Activity, the Mopping Activity, the Montessori Lock Box, and the Balance Board, we can make learning exciting and engaging for our children while also boosting their physical and cognitive growth. 

Shop our Play & Learn bundles to develop the necessary skills in your child that they can learn by play and will make their life ready.