Introduction
Bilateral coordination—the ability to use both sides of the body together in a controlled and organized way—is essential for everyday tasks like dressing, eating, playing, and school participation. Practicing at home helps reinforce what kids learn in therapy sessions and promotes greater independence.
Bilateral coordination is a foundational skill that supports access, independence, and success across childhood—from play and self-care to school readiness and long-term development. When children consistently practice bilateral coordination activities at home, we often see improvements in things like access to play materials, increased independence with dressing, feeding, and grooming, and greater success with school-related tasks.
What Is Bilateral Coordination and Why Does It Matter?
Bilateral coordination refers to how both sides of the body work together for movement and everyday tasks. It plays a key role in everything from crawling as a baby to writing, catching a ball, and tying shoes.
Early Signs a Child May Need Help
From our team’s experience, some early signs that a child may benefit from support with bilateral coordination include:
- Not bringing both hands to the middle to play with a toy
- Using one hand consistently during play
- Difficulty holding or stabilizing objects with both hands
- Struggling to push up on both arms during tummy time
- Avoiding activities that require coordinated two-sided movement
If your child shows several of these signs, some simple at-home practice can go a long way.
Why At-Home Practice Makes a Big Difference
Therapy sessions offer structured support, but real progress often happens with consistent, playful at-home practice. The more chances a child has to use both sides of their body together, the more automatic these movements become.
If you’re unsure how to begin at home, our clinicians recommend asking your pediatric occupational or physical therapist for guidance tailored to your environment.
Easy Routines to Incorporate Bilateral Coordination
There are many natural opportunities in your daily routines to practice bilateral coordination. For example:
- Play: Interlocking toys, ball games, crawling/climbing
- Self-care: Dressing and undressing, brushing hair
- Art: Coloring or painting with one hand while stabilizing the paper with the other
- Carrying objects: Anything that requires both hands (e.g., a laundry basket or large toy)
Our team emphasizes that you don’t need extra tools—just look for moments in your regular day where both hands can be involved. Check out this video for ideas of at-home activities to work on bilateral coordination!
Fun & Functional Bilateral Coordination Activities for Kids
Making bilateral coordination exercises enjoyable is key. Here are some favorite activities from our clinicians that kids love—and that deliver real benefits:
Gross Motor Activities
- Jumping jacks
- Crawling under obstacles
- Hopscotch
Fine Motor Activities
- Cutting with scissors
- Stringing beads
- Pouring dry materials like rice or pasta into cups
Play-Based Activities
- Clapping games
- Playing catch
- Using musical instruments
Clinician Favorites & Modifications
When asked about their go-to bilateral coordination activities, our clinicians mentioned Play-Doh, arts and crafts, and ball play as simple, high-impact options that fit easily into the day.
To modify these for different skill levels, we recommend:
- Watching for signs of frustration
- Giving your child space to problem-solve before jumping in
- Using different surfaces (e.g., tabletop vs. wall) or object sizes (e.g., large vs. small balls)
- Adjusting the type or amount of help you offer to promote independence, resilience, and success
One key message: Play is enough. Almost every toy or game provides an opportunity to use both hands, so don’t get bogged down in trying to create “formal” exercises.
Encouragement for Parents
Helping your child practice bilateral coordination doesn’t need to be hard or time-consuming—it just needs to be consistent and fun.
As our clinicians put it:
“Practicing this underlying skill enables your child to foster a sense of problem-solving, resiliency, coordination, and independence that will carry forward into new skills as they continue to grow and develop.”
Take a fresh look at your daily routine and you’ll probably discover you’re already practicing bilateral coordination activities for kids without even realizing it.
When to Reach Out for Support
If you notice your child experiencing:
- Ongoing frustration
- Continued use of only one arm or leg during two-sided tasks
- No progress after 4 weeks of regular practice
…it may be time to connect with a pediatric therapist for additional support.
Conclusion – Support Your Child’s Development with Pediatric Therapy in Southeast Wisconsin
Bilateral coordination plays a crucial role in everything from play to self-care and school readiness. By practicing fun, purposeful activities at home, you can help your child become more confident and independent in their movements.
If your child is struggling with coordination, fine motor skills, or development in general, Medical Support Services is here to help. Our team offers expert pediatric occupational and physical therapy—and we love partnering with families to build real-world skills through play.
We proudly serve the Oak Creek, Mount Pleasant, and Kenosha areas of southeastern Wisconsin.