Bilateral coordination is being able to use both sides of your body at the same time in order to perform a task. It's an important skill that is connected to many different activities that C is regularly expected to do, including cutting, writing, and drawing. Being able to
cross the midline of the body (the ability to reach across the imaginary middle line of your body to the other side, using your arms or legs) is also part of bilateral coordination - and is something that is challenging for C. We are trying to give her lots of opportunities to practice using both sides of her body, as well as encourage her to practice crossing her midline.
Using both arms simultaneously to push herself...
Perfect for bilateral coordination and motor planning...
Motor planning is understanding the steps necessary to complete a task, organizing yourself and your body, and then following through. People use this skill constantly throughout their daily lives, whether they are playing sports, doing school work, or even tying their shoes. For most people, these steps happen in their brain so quickly that you don't even realize they are processing them. They are just able to do whatever it is they want to do. As for C, she often knows exactly what she wants her body to do, but struggles putting the steps together to make it happen in a timely manner. The result is that she appears somewhat clumsy and uncoordinated. We are working on this, too.
Puzzles are great practice for both bilateral coordination AND motor planning, too!
(So is playing with princesses - that's what M is up to... :) )
Using one hand to stabilize herself while fitting the puzzle piece with the other...
Finished product with Daddy!
Bilateral coordination and motor planning are two areas that C definitely finds challenging, but fortunately, there are tons of ways to help her practice and have fun doing it at the same time. And as for M, whatever we are doing with C can absolutely help her develop these skills, too. To the girls, it's just play, but these days we try to think about what other benefits can come from their play time.
Play is an excellent learning tool for all ages.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Corey! That is definitely one of the better parts of C's diagnosis - so much of what we are doing for her is so "normal" in the vernacular of her day, and what helps her most is directed and well-chosen play time (as well as the let-loose, do-what-you-want kind!).
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