By Leah Young, MSW
Crossing the midline might sound like something out of a superhero comic, but it's actually a super important part of your child's development! Picture an invisible line running straight down the middle of your body, dividing it into left and right. When your child reaches across this line—like when they grab a toy with their left hand from the right side—they're doing more than just playing. They're helping their brain grow stronger and smarter!
One of the best ways to sneak in some midline-crossing fun is through art. Art for Kids Hub (https://artforkidshub.com) is an awesome website filled with creative drawing and craft tutorials that naturally get kids reaching, stretching, and crossing that all-important midline. Whether your child is sketching a dragon or cutting out a paper heart, they’re not just making art—they’re boosting their brain power!
Why Crossing the Midline Is Pure Magic
So, what’s the big deal about crossing the midline? Imagine your brain is like a bustling city with two major neighborhoods—the left and right hemispheres. Each side has its own unique talents: the left side is all about logic and language, while the right side is your creative, artsy friend. When your child crosses the midline, it's like building a superhighway that lets these two sides communicate better, making everything from reading to riding a bike a whole lot easier.
Experts like Bruce Perry, Peter Levine, and Bessel van der Kolk have been saying for years that activities involving midline crossing are super important. Bruce Perry, a brain development whiz, tells us that rhythmic, repetitive movements that cross the midline can actually help calm the brain and body, especially for kids who’ve had a tough start in life.
Peter Levine, a superhero of movement therapy, suggests that moving in ways that cross the midline can help your child shake off stress and feel more grounded. It’s like giving your child’s body a gentle reminder that everything is okay, and they’re safe.
Then there’s Bessel van der Kolk, who wrote The Body Keeps the Score. He’s all about how our bodies hold onto memories and how doing things like drawing or dancing can help release those memories, making us feel more whole and happy. When your child crosses the midline during play, it’s like giving their brain a giant, warm hug.
EMDR: The Brain's Favorite Dance Party
You’ve probably never heard of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), but it’s a fancy term for a type of therapy that helps the brain process tough memories. One of the cool things about EMDR is that it uses movements that cross the midline to help the brain heal. While you might not be doing therapy at home, you can still give your child’s brain a little boost with playful activities that encourage midline crossing—kind of like having your own mini dance party for the brain!
Art + Midline Magic = Brain Boosting Fun
Now, back to the fun stuff! Using Art for Kids Hub is a brilliant way to bond with your child while also giving their brain a workout. As you create together—whether it’s a colorful rainbow or a fierce dinosaur—your child is not only expressing their creativity but also building stronger brain connections.
So, the next time you’re looking for an activity that’s both fun and beneficial, grab some crayons, head to Art for Kids Hub, and watch your child’s imagination soar while their brain gets a fantastic workout. It’s art, it’s play, and it’s pure brain-boosting magic!
Perry, B. D. (2006). The boy who was raised as a dog: And other stories from a child psychiatrist's notebook. Basic Books.
Levine, P. A. (2010). In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. North Atlantic Books.
Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.
Shapiro, F. (2017). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, third edition: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. Guilford Press.
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