![]() We talk about the mind-body connections of movement as a self-regulation tool to impact stress, worries, frustration, and anxiety in our resources on anxiety and sensory coping skills.Īn opportunity to recharge through movement is a great tool to have on hand for a real stress buster! We cover this in more detail in our blog post on the limbic system. ![]() This occurs because the nervous system’s responses play a huge role in how we think, behave, and respond to a given situation. Reduced stress and anxiety: Cross-crawl exercises can help to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and mindfulness. These can be a great classroom brain break for academic work.Īdd the cross crawl activity to your list of ways to add movement to the classroom! Practicing cross-crawl exercises has been shown to improve these skills by helping children develop better eye-tracking ( visual tracking) and hand-eye coordination. Improved reading and writing skills: Crossing the midline is required during reading and writing. Proprioception sensory input (awareness of the body’s location in space).Vestibular system input (challenging motor responses to movement in various planes).Some of the motor skills that can improve include: They may be able to jump higher, fall less, run faster, climb to the top… you get the idea! This is fluid movement happening.īetter motor skills : Cross-crawl exercises can help children develop gross motor strength and coordination. The cross-crawl technique is a tool to add to the sensory movement toolbox as completing the cross-pattern movements moves from slow and intentional to ingrained and automatic. This can improve cognitive function and help children learn and remember new information.īrain development occurs through a variety of movements, sensory stimulation, experiences, and learning opportunities. Increased brain activity: These exercises activate both sides of the brain and often challenge it to coordinate new motor plans. ![]() The cognitive coordination is visible as the child thinks about the action needed to complete the exercise and then works through the motor plan to complete the movements.Īs that action becomes more fluid, the movements occur in a more rhythmic way. ![]() Improved coordination: Cross-crawl exercises help to improve coordination between the left and right sides of the body, which can lead to better balance and overall coordination. Here are some of the most important benefits of cross-crawl exercises: What are the benefits of cross-crawl exercises?Ĭross-crawl exercises offer a wide range of benefits for children of all ages. The movement utilizes both hemispheres of the brain in a whole-brain activity by bringing self-awareness to the body ( body awareness) as well as the physical coordination needed to create the physical, cross-lateral movements.Ĭross Crawl exercises are specific cross lateral (one side of the body crosses, or reaches over to the other side of the body) movements designed to activate both sides of the brain and improve coordination, balance, and motor skills using a set number or repetitions.Ĭross-crawl exercises can be as simple as marching or as complex as dancing, but they all involve movements that require the left and right sides of the body to work together while completing opposing actions. This might include: yoga, crunches with oblique rotation, standing and touching the right hand to the left foot/left hand to the right foot, standing and touching one elbow to the opposite knee, etc. You may have heard of the phrase bilateral coordination and crossing midline used with cross-crawls, too. Cross crawl is defined as movements or cross lateral actions that are exercises that describe a category of movement – not just one exercise. Cross-crawl exercises are movements that involve crossing the midline of the body, which is an imaginary line that divides the body into left and right halves.
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