![]() ![]() Crawling stimulates complex brain functioning as each brain hemisphere sends signals to the opposite side of the body and also receives incoming stimuli from the opposite side. As crawling begins, a baby exercises contralateral movement (opposite arm and leg). Building from the BeginningĮven before a baby begins to crawl, the infant body is preparing to cross the midline through a variety of developmental movements that strengthen the neural connections on each side of the body. Electrical impulses and sensory information can then pass freely between the two hemispheres and we are able to perform life activities such as sports, dance, games, as well as projects that require hand-to-eye coordination, reading, learning language, and academics at all levels. As we continue to do these cross-lateral movements, a bridge is built between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This whole-brain coordination is the foundation for all mental and physical abilities. The physical coordination that allows us to do these crossover movements equates to cognitive coordination – when all parts of the brain work together. To “cross our midline” means that a hand or foot moves to the opposite side of the body to do things like pick up a pencil, draw a horizontal line, shake hands, kick a ball, or sit cross-legged on the floor. The awareness of the two sides of our body and the ability to move across the midline (cross lateral movement) is fundamental to how we function. The midline is an imaginary line that runs down the center of our body from head to toe. ![]() The most important component of our movement experience is the midline – the central vertical axis around which our body is oriented. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |