It likes to save time and space so it differentiates its functions. Human children are built for, and thrive on, cross crawl movement and it’s accompanying stimulation.Ĭross crawl involves opposite sides of the body with lots of switching back and forth, and also include movements that cross over the midline of the body as well. Just a day in the life of a cross crawl driven 9-year-old. Back and forth with the rhythm of the prayer. I rub the bones between the backs of my hands with my fingers tips and feel the softness of my skin. A line of the prayer concludes so I switch and put my left index first, all the others fall in line.
I’m occupying myself by watching my fingers play – right index is first, all the others weave themselves into place. I kneel in the pew and interlace my fingers. It’s Catholic school, so we have to go to mass on Wednesdays. It picks up speed and careens to the center of the pole. Back and forth until I duck because the ball is whipping around too fast. I propel the ball across my body with all my force clockwise, she catches it and smashes it back at me counterclockwise. Right hop, both feet jump, left hop, both feet jump, right hop, both feet jump, spin around, hop in the reverse pattern back down.Īfter a few rounds our attention shifts and we skip over to the tether ball poles. Then we find two stones and start playing. We find the chalk bucket, select the best colors, and draw a long, slightly lopsided hop scotch board. (If you’ve forgotten the drill, here’s a video refresher)Įventually, our hands get sore so we move on. Mary Alice and I jump up and gleefully skip out to the playground to begin our hand-clapping ritual: It’s a great break from over- focusing and it works just as well to bring body and mind online.I’m in third grade and the recess bell rings. You can use it regularly to both discharge and recharge your attention and energy. How do these exercises help with social-emotional skills?Ĭross crawl exercises also offer an effective way to reboot your nervous system and re-integrate mind and body. Develops proprioception – your spatial and kinesthetic awareness.Enhances whole-brain thinking – your left and right hemispheres work together.Improves your eye teaming skills – essential for focus, reading, and writing.Energizes your body and calms your mind – releases tension and stress.Stabilizes your walking gait coordination – builds core strength.Though it seems to be a fun, simple exercise, here’s what cross-crawl is doing for you physically and mentally: The ability to do cross-lateral movements with the body literally lays the foundation for other cognitive abilities, such as readiness for fine motor academic work. Through mind-body science, we now understand that physical coordination precedes cognitive coordination. You need to clear some cobwebs or recharge – cross crawl! How do these cross crawl exercises help physically and mentally? If you’re frustrated with a project – cross-crawl. If you’ve been reading and it’s time to go play soccer – cross crawl. Try it before homework, testing, or an important meeting, after anything stressful and between different kinds of activities. You will not only feel clearer, but you will also behave and perform better. Think of it as a basic part of wellness, like drinking plenty of water. Work on building cross-crawl into your daily schedule. Because we are daily, hourly, being bombarded and impacted by multiple stimuli and tasks, practicing cross-crawl throughout the day is one of the best self-care activities you can do for yourself. In short, any time you do cross crawl, you are re-integrating your brain and nervous system and re-organizing your mind-body connections (1).
In addition to firing neural pathways in the right and left brain hemispheres simultaneously, a cross crawl movement stabilizes the pelvis while mobilizing the shoulders, reinforcing the the skills we need for walking.
What are the benefits of cross crawl exercises?Īs soon as we start to crawl, this cross-lateral pattern of movement stimulates more complex brain and nervous system development and integration.
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