Family Life, Stages

Wiggle Room: Crossing the Midline

April 2, 2020

We do this so often that we forget how important it is for growing children.

Crossing midline is a naturally-developed skill that allows us to unconsciously reach over from one side of the body to the opposite side. Without this ability, nearly all of our daily tasks would be challenging. We use this seemingly simple maneuver hundreds of times a day, and we don’t even realize it. Think about when we eat. How many times are we reaching for a french fry, a cup, or a utensil from the other side of the plate? Or when we drive — how many times do we have to cross midline just to make a turn? 

By 4 years old, a child should be able to cross midline and do so with ease during everyday activities. When your child cannot cross midline, it can lead to negative effects and limited development. 

Milestones for crossing midline:

Questions to ask if your child has difficulty crossing midline:

Here are some fun activities to help promote this skill: 


Kimberly Bradley, a pediatric occupational therapist, writes our “Wiggle Room” column. She owns Kim4Kids in Metairie and can be reached at 504.517.5437. kim4kidsnola.com

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